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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
A different leadership
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t has been said that this country, after all of its failed experiences, needs a certain kind of leadership. Unquestionably, Guyana has been seriously harmed by leadership that has been all about the blatantly self-centered, the partisan narrow and limited, and what projects an uninspiring present, and an even bleaker future. To continue what has devastated can only demoralise further. There is only one kind of leadership that is going to raise the bar on this society, challenge it to examine itself, and then deliver something unprecedented to the nation. This country cannot go anywhere or realise anything durable, if it insists on depending on those that promise a primrose path, but deliver only an impenetrable thicket of thorns and thistles (pimpla and stingin nettles). The kind of leadership envisioned first has to be radically different from what has always existed here, lived here. Leadership has to be transformational. For starters, transformational leadership is ethical leadership. Said another way, it is moral leadership. Ethical leaders do not lie. They abhor falsehood and deception and rogues. They are genuine. A reasonable counterargument is that that is unreal; as it is politics: backward, traditional, and satisfying Guyanese politics to the overwhelming majority, and there is neither place for nor success in following the ways of transformational (moral) leadership. With that as accepted reality in Guyanese political life, then to where? To what rung other than the one that has always degraded to the lowest one on the ladder? Because if it is favourable and supportable to falsify casually, cleverly, and continuously, then it is but a short step to bear false witness against enemies, covet neighbours’ property (and that of the state’s), and, who knows, even to destroy and, of course, to do all those damnable things, and then quickly and expertly seek shelter in more covering lies. The Germans during the First World War found out that tell a lie long enough and loud enough and, sure enough, it becomes truth: unquestioned, unchallenged, and accepted truth. Treacherous leaders know that once a start is made with the first lie, then an unending parade of shiftiness, deceptions, and impersonations has to follow to maintain some charade of uprightness and integrity. There is nothing transformational or ethical or remotely moral about such standards of leadership. When a population is misled, it will be stolen from, tricked repeatedly, and disappointed in ways big and small, public and private. There is nothing wholesome or exemplary about political leaders (or any kind of leader from any walk of life) who practice and cherish falsehood as a virtue and norm, while in pursuit of unpatriotic ambitions. What is there to believe when and where it matters? Where is that minimum level of trust and reliability-so hard to come by, so difficult to detect-that has been fairly earned and which rightly belongs? How even to extend the benefit of the doubt, when there has only been a history of the unsavory and the unrecommendable? But is this not what Guyana has had through many monsoons? Still, people (local and foreign) wonder incomprehensibly why this country is imprisoned where it has condemned itself. There is the non-negotiable reminder of that old saw: what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. The fruits of deceptions have been personal benefits through having dodged accounting; there is also much glee at sowing dissent and destruction. There is little else. This type of leadership by anyone, anywhere, anytime is incomparably, unspeakably unconstructive. In contrast, moral leadership gives a chance. Problem is that there is no interest in personifying through trying.
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THE GRUESOME, SENSELESS DEATHS OF MR. LATCHMAN AND HIS DAUGHTER WILL CREATE TREMENDOUS HARDSHIP ON HIS FAMILY DEAR EDITOR, I was at the Mosque when I received a phone call that Mr. Aaron Latchman and his daughter, Ms. Arianna Latchman was robbed and killed by bandits. I couldn’t hold my composure, I had to sit, I became speechless for few minutes as anger and outrage overtook me. The breadwinner of another family has been taken away! My mind raced to many events and conversation I
have had with the gentleman. This was a dirt-poor lad who left the shores of Essequibo to seek a better life in Georgetown. He worked hard, he took risks to improve his life and the life of his family and his relations back home in Essequibo. The same day of his demise, he did a transaction with my Cambio. Mr. Aaron is well known to everyone in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market and the surrounding
environs. Everyone had high praises and respect for him. They all classified him as a man with high integrity. This gruesome, senseless death of Aaron and his young daughter will create tremendous hardship on his bereaved wife and daughter and the extended family. The surviving wife and daughter need counselling, security and social support from everyone. I, like so many others, echo the call on the Police
Department to work assiduously to bring the perpetrators to justice. I have lost a good friend and an ambitious young lady. May their souls rest in peace; as I extend my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Latchman, her daughter and the entire family. May the mercy of GodAlmighty be with you at this overwhelming, testing time. Yours truly, Mr. Nazar Mohamed Mohamed’s Enterprise
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It is clear where Mr. Jagdeo’s prejudicial nature lies DEAR EDITOR, While my personal style has been to conduct my business and stay out of the limelight, it seems as if the limelight has decided to come to me uninvited. In the second time in as many weeks, my name has been mentioned by Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo during his press conferences. Mr. Jagdeo’s argument in summary is that since I am ‘related’ to Mr. Saratu Phillips whom he accuses of being awarded state lands, and since Mr. Joseph Harmon, Director-General in the Ministry of the Presidency is a tenant of one my properties, I must somehow be seen as a beneficiary of some corrupt transaction that he himself does not identify. I believe that the image that Mr. Jagdeo tried to paint of me is one of some hustler trying to catch where I can under a favourable government. The truth of my story is that I was born to a successful artisanal miner from Bartica, a man who brought me into the family business when I was still in my mid-teens. From that early
age, I had a first-hand perspective on the mining life, one in which you could be a millionaire one day, a beggar the next, and then a millionaire again. I was determined to build upon the successes of my father, and to avoid the volatile nature of the pork-knocking life. When I took over fully after his passing, I decided to enter the hotel industry in Bartica and to further diversify from there. Today, my business concerns span real estate, aviation and security services even as I’ve successfully maintained the core business of mining. Indeed, it was because of my achievements in the mining business that I was nominated for and received a national award, the Golden Arrow of Achievement, during Mr. Jagdeo’s final year in office, 2011. And it is not that I didn’t know hardship. It was under Mr. Jagdeo’s administration that I had to watch as my father lost the battle against special interests, close to the then government, who coveted and took over land he had worked hard for. It was under Mr. Jagdeo’s toxic
political environment in which certain business interests became so untouchable that when I spoke in defence of a small miner being bullied, similar to what happened with my father, I had to deal with my two Georgetown houses being riddled with bullets to send me a message to know my place. Mr. Jagdeo claims that his intention in calling names had nothing to do with race, but what he claims to be ‘special interests’ connected to government. His record on racial discrimination, however, speaks for itself. From the proliferation of racist letters in the state media to his discriminatory policy of appointments on public boards and in diplomatic posts to his own public rhetoric on the campaign trail in 2015, it is clear where the prejudicial nature of Mr. Jagdeo lies. Even though I was awarded for my achievements in mining, under the PPP, there was a glass ceiling I dared not even attempt to break as an AfroGuyanese, the coveted gold export licence. Indeed, because this discriminatory policy had so
Consensus on Elections preparation would show that we have what it takes to find common ground DEAR EDITOR, Politics, it is said, is the art of making deals. A ‘good’ deal is when both parties that have to deal leave the negotiating table feeling somewhat unhappy. The way our politics is shaping up would make a ‘deal’ between the ruling APNU-AFC Coalition Government and the opposition PPP/C almost inevitable. Nothing fundamentally is wrong with making deals. It happens all over the world with varying degrees of success. In our case, both parties are poles apart on a number of critical issues in relation to the upcoming poll. Among these are the setting of a date for early elections, the issue
of house-to-house registration and the naming of a new Chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission. In any healthy democracy, none of the above issues would have been contentious. The holding of fresh elections within a threemonth period following the successful passage of a noconfidence is clearly spelt out in our Constitution. This, however, is Guyana, where we cannot agree on something as elementary as what constitutes a simple majority. This had to go all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice for final adjudication. The same is true for the appointment of a Chairman of
the Guyana Elections Commission, the procedure of which is clearly articulated in our Constitution based on the Carter-Price formula, which incidentally was in place since the early 1990s and served as the basis for the appointment of all GECOM Chairmen until the unilateral appointment by President Granger of Retired Justice James Patterson. Again, this matter went all the way to the CCJ for a final ruling. Regarding house-tohouse registration, this would have been something of a non-issue in a functioning parliamentary democracy where the body responsible for the conduct of elections (Continued on page 6)
infected the public and private financial infrastructure in Guyana, it took me tremendous effort under the current administration to gain a licence in 2018, at the time the only African-Guyanese to do so. I have documentation of precisely where the hurdles were, and what I had to do to overcome them. Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Mr. Trevor Benn has had to debunk Mr. Jagdeo’s claims, both general and some specific. Mr. Charles Ceres has had to hold a full press conference deconstructing the claims against him made as well. And all this comes just weeks after Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Mr. Godfrey Statia, had to
similarly debunk Mr. Jagdeo’s claims on another set of issues. While I understand that the Leader of the Opposition has his political work to do, credibility and integrity should matter and there should be no justification for the level of misinformation he insists on putting out into the public domain. It appears to me that if someone does not fall into Mr. Jagdeo’s small cabal of business associates, you can easily become collateral damage in his relentless political campaign. A strong undercurrent of Mr. Jagdeo’s recent tirades is that of the resentment that there is clear empowerment of a people that he spent so long in
marginalising. Someone once said that the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince people that he did not exist. Mr. Jagdeo cannot have it both ways: he can either be the diligent statesman committed to the public interest that he has been trying hard to sell himself as ever since he formally reentered politics as Leader of the Opposition or he can be the power-hungry former President, so greedy for another taste of power and access to our country’s newfound wealth that he does not care whose name he smears in order to do so. Shawn Hopkinson, AA CEO Hopkinson Mining
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Even with its admission of human limitations, I believe the PPP/C is still the best tried and tested team
Do the IDB and World Bank still endorse a zero tolerance on corruption?
DEAR EDITOR, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Life is about the choices we make. A citizen has a right or some may say a privilege to vote and elect their leaders in a democratic society. That process which is enshrined with constitutional protection that allows freedom of expression, association, conscience and assembly should be considered as a foundation on which one stands when he/she participates in the democratic process. Guyana’s system of Government is a democracy, it is not a theocracy. God does not elect and protect governments, people do. Christians in particular must not be cajoled by enticing statements and subliminal messages using biblical undertones. Justice, righteousness and equity should be guiding principles. Guyana’s National Assembly voted on December 21, 2018 that it had no confidence in the Granger led Coalition Government. Judas, Satan or Lucifer are not members of the National Assembly, it was 33 honorable men and women elected representatives of the people who exercised their rights as enshrined in the constitution of Guyana that rendered such a
defeat. It was not a battle between God and Satan, it was about policies, programmes, actions and measures that were inimical to the interests of the Guyanese people. Those actions were rejected by the legitimately and constitutionally positioned representatives of the people. The deposing of that cabal who squandered every opportunity that was given to them to govern Guyana can be described as an act of righteousness. It was done to protect families of sugar workers who were vindictively and politically ostracised. The closure of these estates were done without any feasibility study or any socioeconomic impact assessment and even against the recommendations contained in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) that was mandated by this very Coalition Government. It was done to protect the country’s wealth from a kleptocratic Government; we must remember the collecting of the US$18 million signing bonus, not placing it in the Consolidated Fund and the constant denial of its existence by senior members of this now defeated administration. Thirdly, it was to further protect Guyanese from the perverse measures that saw the increase in over 200 taxes in licences, fines and fees, taking away a further G$85 billion of disposable income annually from citizens.
It was about the disappointment of the people, the rice farmers who were promised G$9,000 per bag for their paddy, the public servants who were promised significant increases in wages and salaries, the men and women in uniform who were promised better remunerations but instead lost their annual one month tax free bonus, which was later described by this Government as a bribe the PPP/C Government gave. It was about the G$10,000 per child cash grant that parents lost, the removal of the subsidies on water and electricity from our seniors, and the imposition of 14% VAT on the latter, all of which was done after giving themselves a 50% increase on their salaries which they lied consistently about until it was found out. While a small cabal of cronies is enjoying the “good life”, 30,000 jobs have been lost since May, 2015 and many families experiencing grave hopelessness. The speed and brazen manner in which corrupt deals were struck with “political investors” such as the Jubilee Durban Park, the Sussex Street Drug Bond, the sole sourcing of G$605 million of pharmaceuticals for GPHC, the fuel smuggling racket, the fertilizer deal, HDMS Labs fiasco, the infamous trip to China, the undisclosed visit by the famous 5 to Houston Texas, the feasibility study of the New Demerara Harbour Bridge imbroglio, the awards of scholarships to Ministers of Government and families and friends of senior Government officials, the poorly negotiated PSA with Exxon Mobil and the list goes on. (Continued on page 7)
DEAR EDITOR, The case of a senior Procurement Officer of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has gone cold. Procurement is approximately 90% of the National Budget. This case leaves a bad taste in our mouths and speaks volumes about this administration’s stance on corruption. Corruption is not a recent phenomenon in public procurement. Public procurement itself was adopted in the public sector. However, it quickly became one of the best instruments for the successful implementation of public policy. Therefore, corruption in public procurement is one of the most urgent economic problems that Guyana faces especially with the discovery of first oil, and subsequent production in 2020. There isn’t a general definition for corruption but for sure in this case, we can safely say that once you are corrupt you can’t stop and it keeps eating away, you can’t leave it alone. Before entering office, the APNU/AFC Government campaigned on stopping corruption. Maybe they have now endorsed corruption. This particular officer has been returned to a very sensitive position. There were accusations that NPTAB officials would contact contractors and negotiate a price based on the recommended contract value. Many contractors are willing to testify to this. Some even have recordings of conversations and photos of personnel collecting bribe monies from vehicles on the roadsides. The big question is what has happened to the police
investigation? On April 7, 2019, Kaieteur News in one of its articles states that Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan admitted that “some irregular activities” occurred. Asked about whether he is worried about the breaches after the Coalition Government had vowed to clean up things at the Tender Board, on being voted in May 2015, Jordan was clear. “You will always be worried. As we said, no system is foolproof but luckily we had a system here that actually caught some irregular activities.” What has happened to the police investigation report? Joe Biden once said corruption is a cancer: a cancer that eats away at a citizen’s faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity, already-tight national budgets, crowding out important national investments. It wastes the talent of entire generations. It scares away investments and jobs. Was there any involvement involving staffers of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure? In the past, MoPI engineers and technical officers were accused of tampering with the bid documents. What happened with the
Public Procurement Commission report on this issue. It is my understanding that the senior members of the NPTAB decided to vote and allow the senior procurement officer to continue his job. Where are the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank in all of this? We have credible evidence in a video that a bid document was tampered with and a recording between the corrupt officer and a colleague after he was caught. What more does the IDB and World Bank need to launch a comprehensive investigation? I will leave this phrase from the Turkish cliché: ‘A fish starts to stink at the head’, reminding us that petty bribes for small staff are often matched by greater corruption at the top of organisations and institutions. By the way, I have lost all hope in the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). I am calling on President David Granger, the IDB, World Bank and more so the international committee to investigate this matter and let this corrupt officer face the consequences. A Law Abiding Citizen
Consensus on Elections... From page 5 is subservient to the Constitution and not the other way round as is seemingly the case. Given the entrenched positions by both sides, a ‘deal’ is not only necessary but something of a national imperative. The basis for some compromise is there already, with President Granger publicly saying that he is prepared to consider naming a Chairman, ‘within a matter of days’, from among the eighteen names already submitted. For his part, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is on record as saying that he is willing to consider whatever concerns President Granger may have regarding a credible Voters List. It is my considered view that within the broad parameters outlined above, some consensus can be reached. This would require flexibility, good faith and a willingness to put country above partisan interests. Moreover, it would demonstrate political maturity and send a signal to the outside world that we have what it takes to find common ground on fundamental matters of electoral politics and governance. Hydar Ally
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This country has proven repeatedly that it has had no political Hercules Dear Editor, Media reports are that there is some hint of leadership movement on one issue: chairperson for GECOM. It should be cause for optimism, that a pathway is being recognised that has to be drilled out of the chronic constipation. The Guyanese people are encouraged to harbour such optimism. For my part, I am more inclined to view this as another part of the compelled choreography that is such an integral aspect of what is now a state of perpetual Guyanese political torture. I confess that this is ironic (perhaps tragic) coming from me. For I freely admit to urging continually that leaders be open to meeting and discussing and finalising consensus arrangements. My position has always been that the longest journey begins with the first step; no matter the nature of the journey; no matter the infinitesimal, undetectable nature of that fateful first step. Has to be tried; must be believed. Yet here I am, unimpressed and unmoved. Such is the degree of skepticism, the overwhelming disgust. I have no problems being alone on this, for I see this spare, opening gambit as
nothing more than what it really is at the crux of considerations. That is, mainly, the first letter in the first syllable of the first word in an unending story In other words, it opens the door to nowhere. Leaders have been that dense, that unmoving. I sense it is one more theatrical episode that takes the citizens of this country for yet another ride: positions are too steely; visions too selfish. I ask this now given this development, what is next? To ask and answer, I offer this as a prediction: there will be some methodology (sure to be painstaking, maybe even intractable); some names (certain to be the joys of going around in circles again); and those two first steps, if ever collaborated on, to the newest Guyanese incarnation of a Messiah: a chairperson. The Israelites waited thousands of years for that arrival and, according, to the Christian version, promptly disowned him. What kind of saviour is this one? This is the jaded, disbelieving state in which I now reside. And from the interferences on my antenna, I not alone. Far from it.Because when this country
and its leaders somehow manage to emerge unscathed (and still listening to each other; listening not necessarily trusting) from the ordeals of a chairperson process and selection, then it is on the next labor of Hercules: establishing some baseline, seeking some middle ground, and locking in some convergence on that next fabled undertaking: a list. Oh yes, a mutually agreeable electoral list. If selecting a chair has resulted in the political afflictions and political turbulences that have set back a hundred years, then I do not anticipate any easy, early, embraceable electoral list. As a reminder, and another hard position of mine: this country has proven repeatedly that it has had no political Hercules. Narcissus, yes; Machiavelli, most assuredly. But the herculean to get the political labours executed, absolutely not. At this time, and proceeding forward, I expect the usual shabbiness, slickness, and sicknesses from the nation’s politicians. They have earned these accolades. These enemies of the people (and state) are obsessed with one thing and one thing only: power. Mo-
Remembering the MV Son Chapman DEAR EDITOR, Fifty-five years has passed since that fateful day when more than forty of Linden’s own were massacred on the Demerara River as they travelled home on the MV Son Chapman launch at 16:00 hours on Monday, July 6, 1964. It has been said that, ‘To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.’ How very true! The men, women, and children who died on the MV Son Chapman 55 years ago live on in the hearts and minds of their families and friends. AND the people of Linden. Many of us alive today never knew the men, women,
and children of the MV Son Chapman massacre. Yet, we remember them and reflect on their experience because - by their deaths - we have an example of what hatred and brutality can lead to...senseless loss of life and endless suffering. Incidents such as the MV Son Chapman massacre and the July18 tragedy of 2012 must never again occur. We must take the lessons taught by tragedies, such as these to guide our actions in the here and now. For our society to allow such tragedies to reoccur would be indicative of our collective unwillingness to learn and grow as a
society. The survivors of the MV Son Chapman - 6 crewmen and 26 passengers - must also be remembered for they represent God’s never ending mercy and the resilience of the people of Linden. This experience has made us stronger. The people of this region are known for staring adversity in the face and have overcome. May God rest the souls of the men, women, and children of the MV Son Chapman. And may God bless the people of Linden and Region 10. Sharma Solomon
Even with its admission of human... From page 6 This stench of corruption was so obnoxious that even staunch supporters of the Coalition Government sought relief. The way forward was to purge the society of this incompetent, useless, tone, deaf administration. A vote of No Confidence in the National Assembly should have led to elections in 90 days, which would have seen a change of Government. The indecent and shameless clinging on to power by way of spurious and incredible arguments is certainly not Godly or an act of righteousness. It
is desperation, an abuse of the legal process, an abuse on the constitution, a transparent display of the undemocratic nature of these modern day Pharisees. If you talk about God, you must be godly. It is not by your talks that you are defined; it is by your actions. The fruits of unrighteousness are already bearing after just four short years. The journey through the Courts, both locally and at the CCJ, and the arguments that were proffered exposed the depth of depravity that this APNU/AFC Government is prepared to take us. Elections 2019 that is before us will give
every Guyanese an opportunity to intelligently compare, analyse and then choose the team that is best for the leadership, securing the interest and protecting the patrimony of Guyana. It is my considered view that the PPP/C, even with its admission of human limitations, is still the best tried and tested team that will take Guyana into a prosperous and progressive future. We will right the wrongs, open new frontiers, restore hope and restore dignity. Yours sincerely, Bishop Juan Edghill PPP/C MP
nopoly governance power and that list holds the keys to the kingdom of Guyana. If that is suspected to have some kind of relation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I say go to the head of the class for perception alone. Look at what is involved here; look closely at the (to put matters politely) petroleum patriots and their personal plans for this land. That is enough to drive one to a northbound plane or to hard liquor. Next, in this trinity of the tawdry (chair, list, and date), there is that tantalising issue of a date. Because an early date signifies a troubled list; and a later date, an identically unappealing one. All political calculus aside, I foresee somewhere around mid-October to early November. Sounds like a strange and unwelcome Christmas surprise to me. This country is so back-
ward that a date causes it to go into convulsions. What kind of people are these? Then, the real Guyana is unfurled before an astonished world, through something of a process called election campaigning, voting, and last counting. I do not think for one moment that Guyana is ready for that scheduled brain surgery with a potent chemo drip as the anesthetic. As if all of those are not enough, there is announcing results and accepting and conceding accordingly. In civilised, intelligent societies, those are routine matters. Well, this country and its leaders and peoples are anything but; I suggest that there is frankness and honesty with ourselves to acknowledge these norms. Those who wish to believe (or challenge), go right ahead and do so. I have read from afar and observed first hand, the same songs and
dances election season after season. This follows script and long-established blueprint. It is 2019, and there are the same postures, same arguments, and same inconclusive and unsuccessful visions and arrival points. Nothing changes. With this kind of mentality, this nation is gone with the type of people that it has in its political brain trusts; and those all-important supporting councils. It is doomed. I wish I could have said otherwise. I just can’t. Now let the games begin. More finitely, the next round of what is going to be a marathon encounter: a combination of those ancient prizefights and WrestleMania. Nothing is off the table; nothing is below the belt. Nothing is outside the limit. Guyanese better get ready for the longest of long hauls. Sincerely, GHK Lall
I applaud APNU+AFC for polling DEAR EDITOR, I applaud the ruling Coalition APNU+AFC for commissioning or conducting (its own) opinion polls to determine its popular support and favourability or likeability ratings of its President and Prime Minister and prospective candidates or nominees. Polling is a standard practice in all countries that allow democratic elections. All political parties should conduct opinion polls. The media should also conduct its own polls to determine support for parties. I am almost certain, barring any medical difficulty, President David Granger will return as the Coalition’s Presidential candidate. The opposition PPP and the minor parties, ANUG (Ralph Ramkarran and others), Justice and Liberal Party (Shuman and others), URP (Vishnu Bandhu and others) and the other small parties should follow the APNU+AFC’s lead and commission or conduct polls to test their popular support and the favourability ratings of their potential nominees or candidates for President and Prime Minister. An election is a numbers game. When I did doctoral studies in political science, I learn and master that as a basic. The goal is to cross over 50% support that guarantees a majority of seats in parliament or a plurality to win the Presidency. You need data to know where you are in terms of popular support. You get data by conducting scientific objective polls. APNU+AFC has data where it is in terms of support and how far it has to go (if it in fact needs more movement) to reach its goal. That is smart politics and the ruling alliance must be com-
mended for this initiative. Whoever is advising the Coalition knows politics and the number game and is planning how to get the numbers to win the elections. To not think in terms of numbers is to fool yourself; you will face defeat (as the PPP experienced in 2011 and 2015) if you don’t play the numbers game (examine the numbers or data and strategise on maximising your position). The advisor to the Coalition knows the importance of numbers and that is why he commissioned polls, and he is now in an advantageous position strategising on how to take the Coalition to victory. I do not know if any of the opposition parties have done the same as the Coalition in conducting polls. It is to their detriment if they don’t conduct polls or listen to pollsters; they will experience a repeat of 2011 and 2015. I think APNU+AFC recognises the significance of data. And that is why it commissioned polls and such tracking polling will continue till an election is held. The Coalition is engaged in smart politics ahead of the game of the other parties. And it has jumped in front by releasing (leaking) numbers to influence opinion. It is in a position now to determine or shape the politics. Had the other parties done the same as the coalition in conducting polls, they would have been in a strategic position to influence the politics. The opposition parties now have to play catch up. Anyone who studied political science will tell you that in elections, it is either you have the numbers to win or
influence government formation (with a few seats) or you don’t. If you lack the numbers, you find a way to build the numbers to win or to get into a position to influence government formation. In Guyana, “winner takes all”. There is no second prize. Therefore, if the opposition is smart, it will begin to engage in smart politics – commission polls to get data. The incumbent already has an advantage with data. If data shows a party or coalition lacks the numbers, then you form an alliance (as APNU+AFC did) in 2015 to get into an advantageous position. Otherwise, five more years in opposition. If the APNU+AFC coalition lacks the numbers, and it has the numbers based on its private polling), then it knows what must be done to get the numbers and five more years in office. I happened to have done a poll for my personal interest and have some idea of where the parties are in terms of numbers. There are a lot of surprises. I urge the parties to commission polls (not me as I will not work for a party but will consider a media house) to test their political strength. I extol APNU+AFC for taking the lead in commissioning polls. That is new in Guyana’s politics.It is not enough to conduct polls; a party must also listen to the pollster. Politicians are not experts. The pollsters are the experts who provide data and the advisors offer strategies on winning. That is how Cheddi Jagan was able to win in 1992 and David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo in 2015. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (Ph.D Politics)
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Loophole in Mining Act costs Guyana hundreds of $$$millions yearly
A
loophole in the Mining Act of 1989 allows miners to exceed 1,200 acres threshold allotted to medium scale operators yet avoid paying rental fees required for large operators. As a result, Guyana is losing hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. The issue was brought into focus by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report of 2017. In the report, the EITI
noted that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) approved some 457 permits to companies operating under the category of medium scale mining operators. Medium scale operators are those considered as having between 150 and 1,200 acres of land on a single mining permit. Large operators exceed the 1,200-acre threshold. However, the EITI highlighted a trend in operators
having multiple medium scale permits with total acreage exceeding the medium scale threshold. The watchdog body said that as a result, the medium scale operators should be paying the same fees as large operators. According to EITI, several medium scale mining permits, covering plots in the same location, have been awarded on the same date to the same applicant, instead of following the award process for large-scale mining li-
cences. “The total combined acreage of several mining permits awarded during 2017 to a same applicant exceeded 1,200 acres, which is the maximum surface for a medium scale mining permit. If these plots had been combined, they would have exceeded the 1,200 acre threshold and would have been categorised as being “large scale tenures”, which would involve paying higher rental fees and the licence
award procedure requiring further approvals from other Government Agencies.” Additionally, the EITI noted that a list of active mining permits shows that several plots were held by the same extractive entity and within the same location. “The combined surfaces of these mining permits exceed the 1,200-acre threshold in several instances. Such mining permit holders may nee d t o b e categorised as large-scale extractive operators as defined by the current legislation whenever it is established that the relating plots run consecutively one after the other. The annual rental fees due by large-scale operators are US$3 per acre as opposed to US$1 per acre for medium scale mining operators. As a result, the EITI stressed the total shortfall to the government as a result of such errors may reach considerable amounts per annum. Furthermore, the transparency body noted that the Mining Act (1989) allows the Commission to conclude agreements with applicants through direct negotiation without any requirement to follow any tendering procedures. “We recommend that GGMC consider the amendment of the awarding procedures in order to include the clear definition and distinction between large scale licences and medium scale permits.
In order to comply with the legal awarding process of mining permits and largescale mining licences set by the Mining Act (1989), we recommend that GGMC considers taking into account the combined acreage of the permits when awarding them to the same applicant and when the plots are continuous. “We also recommend a review and an update of the list of current active mining permits in order to comply with the definition of the large-scale mining licence given that several of them cover neighbouring plots for the same extractive entity and exceed 1,200 acre when combined.” Additionally, the EITI noted that the allocation of licence and permits calls for the disclosure of information related to the award or transfer of lic ences pertaining to the compa nies covered in the EITI report, including: a description of the process for transferring or awarding the licence; the technical and financial criteria used; information about the recipient(s) of the licence that has been transferred or awarded, including consortium members where applicable; and any nontrivial deviations from the applicable legal and regulatory framework governing licence transfers and awards. The EITI is a global standard for the good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources. It seeks to address the key governance issues in the extractive sectors.
Sunday July 07, 2019
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Kaieteur News
GT Mayor wants to “stamp out malpractice” at Engineer’s Department Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, wants to stamp out malpractice at City Hall particularly at the level of the City Engineer’s Department At a recent statutory meeting held at City Hall, the Mayor noted that City Engineer, Colvern Venture, has not acted in the best interest of the city. He explained that Venture proceeded on his annual vacation leave but did not present documents of existing work contracted to the Deputy-Engineer. According to Mayor Narine, under Venture’s watch, there were several projects that were not executed successfully and must be addressed promptly. He said that there are several other issues that will be tackled and emphasised the need to put a “full stop” to any malpractice. “The 30 people who sit
around this table, we are here to make policy, we are here to create by-laws, we are not here to micro-manage. When our instructions and decisions are made by the council, those decisions and instructions ought to be followed for the betterment of the City,” he stated. Mayor Narine won Constituency One in November 2018. Among his goals is the stamping out of corruption at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), providing citizens with the services needed and transforming Georgetown to its former glory. Last month, Narine called for great accountability and transparency from city engineers attached to City Hall. He was at the time responding to concerns about the City Engineer’s Department as it relates to the state of manholes in the city.
Councillor Heston Bostwick told the Council that three children fell into a manhole at James Street, Albouystown. The councillor complained that it was “due to our negligence”. Limbs can be lost.” In response to enquiries from the Council, City Engineer Venture said that there are nine manholes around the city currently without covers. “You know something named ‘fed up’? The Mayor is fed up with the Engineer’s Department,” Narine said. This is not the first time that the Engineer’s Department has come under fire for manhole incidents. The M&CC has received a number of requests for compensation from citizens, claiming millions of dollars in damages as a result of falling into manholes.Former Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had
China Chef restaurant reopens Departmental Health Inspectors recently swooped down on several Chinese restaurants in the West Demerara District and had proposed to close them because of insanitary operations. Amongst them was the China Chef Restaurant at Bagotville Public Road, West Bank Demerara, which was closed by inspectors because of insanitary conditions and the need to clean up the facility.Yesterday, the inspectors reported that the restaurant has been cleared of breaches and is now fit to operate as specified under Food and Health regulations. When this newspaper
…proprietor claims resident deliberately throws garbage in her facility broke the story of the closure, a representative of the restaurant refuted the claims that the restaurant was ordered close. But when the West Head office was contacted, sources there indicated that the restaurant was indeed cited for health checks, and would have been closed if found in any breach of expectation. The female representative of the restaurant admitted to this publication that the facility indeed needed cleaning up, emphasizing that they had obeyed instructions
of the health inspectors and have brought their facility up to operational standards. The operators of China Trade Restaurant are claiming that residents close by are in the habit of throwing garbage and refuse into their compound when they close at nights. This newspaper visited the area and residents did agree that a young male living just behind the restaurant has been defacing the building and throwing garbage in the yard after the proprietors close their doors at night.
Dem boys seh ...
Soulja Bai got to pray three times a day and six times pon Sunday Prayer changes everything and Soulja Bai has to go down on his knees and beg de Creatah to give him faith wid some of de mofos he got surrounding him. Dem boys conclude recently, dat Guyana got an exchange, not a change. Almost everything de PPP did in 23 years, some of dem in Soulja Bai camp want to outdo in five. De AFC was expected to bring about de real change but instead, some of dem join in wid Soulja Bai team and wanted to outdo de PPP.Where does dat leave Guyana? Dat is why so many parties popping up Wild West. Everybody want a piece of de pie. Dem boys seh it seems third party means race to lick up and beat out. Dem boys seh by de time you go to bed and wake in de morning, everything gone. Only prayer can help.Dis is a special prayer from de boys for Soulja Bai to paste on every official desk. “Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says: “Woe to those who call evil good,” but dat is exactly what we have done.
* We have reversed our values. * We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. * We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. * We have killed our unborn and called it choice. * We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. * We have abused power and called it politics. * We have embezzled public funds and called it essential expenses. * We have institutionalised bribery and called it perks of office. Search us, Oh Father, and when you find de sinners strike dem so hard dat dem wouldn’t want to hear bout politics again. Soulja Bai should pray three times daily and six times pon Sunday. Dem boys seh he should also demand dat some of he people tek a obeah bath three times a day and six times on Sunday. Talk half and hope de prayer and de bath will help Guyana.
noted that staff of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council had to be more careful in carrying out their work and dealing with the public. “I’m tired of complaints against the Engineer’s Department involving senior building inspectors. You’re dodging the people, hiding from them, telling them to come back over and over. The attitude of those in the Engineer ’s Department stinks; their attitude towards citizens is unacceptable,” Chase-Green had lamented. She said it was high time that some officers from that department go home, because they are at work doing absolutely nothing. “You have officers in the yard liming whole day,” she
Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine charged, and when they are picked up and taken into the fields, they produce the reports months after; and worse yet, give the excuse that they have to revisit the
location before submitting the reports.The Mayor and City Council of Georgetown was expected to compensate at least two people in relation to manhole incidents.
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Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
Public Health Ministry hosts four day training for dry-needling The Disabilities Commission under the Ministry of Public Health, is hosting a four-day training session with physiotherapists so that they could be educated on how to execute and apply dry-needling to their patients. Currently, there is only one physiotherapist in Guyana with the relevant training and certificates to execute this type of therapeutic restoration to health. Dry needling is a treatment technique whereby a sterile, single-use fine filament needle is inserted into the muscles to assist with decreasing pain and improving function through the release of myofascial trigger points, or what is commonly known as knots in the muscles. Dry needling is not the same as acupuncture, although there are similarities between the two techniques. The main difference between dry needling and acupuncture is the theory behind why the techniques work. Dry needling is focused
primarily on the reduction of pain and restoration of function through the release of myofascial trigger points in muscle. In comparison, acupuncture focuses on the treatment of medical conditions by restoring the flow of energy through key points in the body (meridians) to restore balance. Seventeen physiotherapists from Georgetown, West Coast Demerara, Lethem and Berbice will be trained. They will be coached by Dr. Mahir Somaiha from New Jersey, who is part of the Everything Therapy Group; an organization which is based in a plethora of countries across the globe. This training will be separated into four parts; two were completed yesterday. Part three will entail the participants having to write an examination. If they are successful, then they would be certified to train others and complete their course. After completion, all 17 physiotherapists will receive certificates.
Participants at the Dry Needling training session Training sessions, which run for nine hours a day will conclude on Tuesday at the Georgetown Club. Ariane Mangar, Director of the Disabilities Commis-
sion, said, “This is an upgrading, educating and continuing course, and since the world is moving at a fast rate, institutions especially those in the health sector, should
keep up with them.� Mangar noted that this training will not be conducted every year because it is expensive. This four-day training,
according to Mangar cost the Ministry over $6 millions. She said that the Health Ministry would have to raise more money again to conduct another session.
Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
PAGE 12
President not happy with English, Science & Social Studies NGSA results
T
he National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results were announced last Wednesday and President David Granger was not satisfied. “More children are doing well in Mathematics, although I am not happy with the results in English, Science and Social Studies.” Granger was at the time highlighting the progress that has been made in reforming the education system via a video posted on his party's Facebook page. The President said, “It is a question of better qualification for a greater number. So it is a good lesson. It means that the government's programme is working to get children off of the streets and into schools, and I am confident that the amount we've invested in education has started to pay dividends and will do better
in years to come. “And we've invested over $172 billion over the last four years. This is more than we've spent on any single sector in government. So this is the most important service, public service that we can provide to our citizens.” According to President Granger, Government's efforts over the last four years has been able to raise a large part of the student population out of the danger of becoming NEET, the acronym for (students), not in education, employment or training. This, he said, has seen fewer failures and dropouts. The President extended congratulations to the students, their teachers and parents, noting that, “this is a very important even in children's lives. People work hard to get good results. Some children have done
President David Granger well, and I congratulate them.” Some 14,300 students wrote the NGSA examinations this year on April 17 and April 18. The highest obtainable score was 536 marks. This year's top students were from public schools: Dave Chowtie, of
Graham's Hall Primary, East Coast Demerara; and Venisha Lall of C.V Nunes Primary School, Region Two, shared the top spot having both secured 532 marks and places at Queen's College. Based on figures provided by the Ministry of Education, 61% or 8,723 of the candidates were unable to pass Social Studies. The failure rate for Science and Mathematics stood at 57.6% and 58% respectively. Further, the figures translate to 8,294 and 8,236 candidates being unable to pass Mathematics and Science respectively. More candidates were able to secure a pass in Mathematics. It was noted that the performance this year improved as compared to last year. Mathematics recorded a pass rate of 42% in comparison to 38.3% last year. In relation to English, it was reported that 57.4% of the candidates passed in contrast to last year when 30.3% of the candidates were unable to achieve the minimum pass rate of 50%.
Sunday July 07, 2019
Food for thought “In the news tonight: Our politicians met today..." You raise a family Work hard for your money Daily, diligently Go home so they could be happy Are killed in a robbery Right there in the vicinity Father and daughter believe me As robbers run, they drop your money People pick it up secretly But leave you bloody Yet Heaven cries more loudly When the media tells its top story Politicians fencing for party and territory As relatives hold dead bodies wailingly The Saints girl sobs uncontrollably And next day the story is history Politics in absurd continuity While a family that suffered the ignominy Are tools for votes, them versus we. "In the news tonight: Our politicians met today..." [By - Marlon Hestick, July 4, 2019]
Sunday July 07, 2019
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Kaieteur News
2%
GUYANA'S VS 35 Countries! There are 35 countries which demanded oil companies like ExxonMobil, Total, Tullow and Hess, pay royalties that go as high as 30%. Yet, Guyana continues to accept a mere 2% royalty for the Stabroek Block. Below is a chart showing the names of those oil-producing nations and the royalty they demand. COUNTRIES 1. Abu Dhabi 2. Algeria 3. Argentina 4. Brazil 5. Bolivia 6. Brunei 7. Cameroon 8. China 9. Colombia 10. Congo 11. Eq. Guinea 12. France 13. Gabon 14. Ghana 15. Korea 16. Malaysia 17. Morocco 18. Myanmar
ROYALTY (%) 12.5 to 20 12.5 to 20 12 10 11 to 19 8 to 12.5 9 to 12.5 10 to 12.5 20 to 25 14.5 to 19 10 12 20 12.5 15 10 12.5 to 14 10
COUNTRIES 19. Nigeria 20. Pakistan 21. Peru 22. Syria 23. Thailand 24. T&T 25. Tunisia 26. Uganda 27. USA 28. Australia 29. Ecuador 30. India 31. Kazakhstan 32. Kuwait 33. Libya 34. Romania 35. Venezuela 36. Guyana
ROYALTY (%) 12.5 to 20 12.5 5 to 20 11 12.5 to 15 10 to 12 10 to 15 12.5 16.6 10 to 12.5 12.5 to 18.5 10 to 12.5 5 to 18 15 16.67 13.5 20 to 30 2
WHEN WILL THE PNCR, PPP & AFC START DEMANDING OUR FAIR SHARE?
PAID AD
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Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
Corruption in police force…
More than two dozen ranks give statements to OPR Just a few weeks ago, Berbice and the country were blown away by several disturbing allegations of corruption in the police operations in Berbice, Region Six. Several police ranks have given statements. The allegations sparked a flurry of debates and attracted the attention of the Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan; President David Granger, the business community and the regional officials of Region Six. Immediately after Kaieteur News broke the first story that whistleblowing ranks were
calling for an independent probe, the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) began investigating every allegation made in the first story and those that followed after. Although it is not an independent body conducting the probe, as requested by the whistleblowers of the GPF and the regional officials in Region Six, the Minister of Public Security expressed his confidence in the entity to carry out the probe professionally and with accountability.
Since then more than two dozen policemen and women have gone forward to the OPR to provide statements detailing alleged corrupt practices executed by senior officials; a detective that was stationed at the Rose Hall Outpost; another detective that reportedly collected $1.4 M to execute Berbice’s 2019 best cop and several other ranks stationed in the ancient county. At least two whistleblowing ranks, including of a senior officer, is still unsure if the OPR is reliable in conducting the
probe. One rank stated, “I don’t have a problem, personally, with any of the investigators at OPR. I am just worried that I gon be victimised if I go forward and give what I have to give because dem is still a part of the Force. “Really and truly, we wanted persons who are not connected to the Force and government to investigate”. He later told this publication that he is considering to go forward to the OPR with statements. This publication was informed that there has been significant progress in gathering the details of many of the allegations made. A circular was sent out by the OPR over a week ago to ranks throughout Berbice, the Regional Chairman of Region Six, Kaieteur News, Stabroek News and the Corentyne Chamber of Commerce to assist in any way with the investigation. It is understood that based on what the whistle blowing ranks and other police officers have told the OPR thus far, “It is incriminating enough for actions to be taken”. Meanwhile, the whistleblowing ranks have expressed outrage at the fact that the junior ranks accused of being in cahoots with criminals that wreaked havoc in Berbice are “still working like normal”. The ranks believe that while these men are being investigated, they should not be allowed to work and execute duties as they normally would. “The detective that they only move to Central Police Station still in plainclothes working as a detective and he still got the force firearm assigned to he. Is this man number went in ‘Kelly’ phone.
“He threaten the person with the gun and when it get tek way, the big man that get suspend mek he get it back. He use to tek payment fuh duck cases and still this man deh walking and working like everything bright and nice”, the whistleblower said. He also said that two other ranks, one who reportedly accompanied the detective Lance Corporal to uplift $1 M from the now dead bandit, Kelvin ‘Kelly’ Shivgobin, and another detective Constable who reportedly collected $1.4 M to execute a cop and also provided a false confession in a murder case is still at their respective stations performing duties as normal. They are of the belief that the ranks should not be stationed in Berbice on duty while the probe is ongoing. It was nearly two weeks ago that the Crime Chief Lyndon Alves was suspended after the allegations. Allegations are that a senior officer from the city ordered the release of a businessman for threatening and shooting off several rounds with his firearm in the presence of persons at Rosignol Village. A Corporal attached to the Fort Wellington Police Station was ordered to give the businessman back his firearm. A senior officer was also accused of collecting $120,000 from a rogue detective Lance Corporal to have him transferred back to Berbice from TSU. In that matter, the detective was moved to TSU after he threatened his relative with the Force’s firearm. He was brought back to Berbice after the money was paid and his firearm was issued back to him based on
Crime Chief, Lyndon Alves instructions from the suspended cop. With regards to Alves, there was alleged interference in a case involving his daughter and a traffic matter. The daughter, Grace Alves, was accused of fatally striking down a six-year-old boy at Tuschen two years ago. In that case, advice was given by the DPP to have an inquest done but it was left at a standstill. Another allegation, which surfaced states that a businessman accused of raping a 14-year-old was reportedly not brought to justice because of intervention by a highranking officer. Whistleblowing ranks had come forward in confidence to Kaieteur News and another newspaper to highlight the wrongdoings of senior and junior ranks within the Guyana Police Force. While the GPF remained silent even as an investigation was ordered by the Public Security Minister, the hierarchy of the Force decided to accuse the media of damaging the image and integrity of the Force. Senior Superintendant Michael Kingston is currently acting as the Crime Chief of the country while investigations continue and Alves remains suspended.
Central Police Station, East Berbice.
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Kaieteur News
We have seen an improvement in the educational sector- Minister Henry Following the release of the National Grade Six Assessment results, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, noted that there has been an improvement at the examination level here Guyana and internationally. She added that by reducing the disparity in
A total of 913 candidates in Region Two wrote the NGSA examinations; 1836 in Region Three and 350 in Region Eight. Region Number of candidates Mathematics(%) English (%) Science (%) Social Studies (%) 2 913 38.3 (from 32.2 in 2018) 50.7 38 32.8 8 350 19.1 (from 9.1 in 2018 33.1 (from 32.2 in 2018) 13.4 13.7 (from 11.5 in 2018) education, both in the hinterland and coastland communities, the education sector has seen many positive results. “There was improvement
in the public schools on the coastal areas, but particularly in the hinterland areas such as Regions Two and Eight,” the Minister related. In Pomeroon-Supenaam,
Value added investment may rescue Wakenaam Plantain industry. The island of Wakenaam, located in the estuary of the Essequibo River, has grown quite popular for its fine quality of plantains. Most farmers have dedicated acres of land exclusively for the production of plantain. As of recent, however, there have been reports of the local industry struggling, primarily due to the inadequacy of markets, and a sustainable market price. One farmer told this publication, “We have a lot of plantain right now but the price is down at the moment for the last six weeks…
Plantain has been keeping the economic flow, along with coconuts to substitute for the rice at the moment.” Based on reports, some farmers have in excess of forty to fifty acres of plantain. It is believed that one farmer has over 250 acres of plantain, allegedly the largest farm in the country. Wakenaam is a small island with a significantly small population. Most of the plantains produced therefore leaves the island. Kaieteur News understands that the price per pound of plantain is usually
$60 to $70. Over the past few months, the prices have been unstable between $30 and $50. In other words, if a farmer once earned, $1800 on a bunch of plantains, he now earns roughly $900. Chairman of the island’s Neighbourhood Democratic Council [NDC], Mr. Sheik Ahmad, explained that there is an oversupply of plantains on the island, but the people’s spending power, he claims, is down. Pointing to an alternative he said, “An export market or the factory on the island will be a plus. Barbados (Continued on page 17)
(Region Two), the ten top students earned spots at Queen’s College and The Bishops’ High. As she remembers when she first become the Education Minister in 2017, and related she was given the chance to look through the data, she learnt that not one
male in Region Eight could make 15% benchmark. That benchmark is Mathematics, English, science and the social studies. She adds with much joy that today that is not the case. She was proud to see that they not only surpass the benchmark, but they, and
other students of the hinterlands were able to land a spot at either one of the five top schools in the country. She thinks that it is significant progress, and she believes that this will take Guyana to a much more developed place in five or ten years to come.
PAGE 16
‘Friend’ and accomplice murdered and robbed that he had been executed, police that he had been shot and robbed. Hescott sources said that the member of the His left temple bore a wound that A man who is described as a friend of the slain Leon Hescott has reportedly admitted to helping to kill and rob the 36-year-old man of a substantial sum of foreign currency on Friday night. The suspect, who is known as ‘Butter,’ was held hours after Hescott was shot in the head around 19:00 hrs while sitting in an abandoned yard in Middle Road, La Penitence. Hescott, a clothes vendor of Lot 155 Middle Road, La Penitence, reportedly had a substantial sum of Euros in his possession when he was slain. The money has not been recovered. While initial reports suggested
Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
ill-fated Hescott clan was the victim of a well-planned robbery. Kaieteur News understands that the ‘friend’ told investigators that he was with Hescott, and struck his victim to the head. When Hescott fell, the ‘friend’ allegedly called an accomplice, who then shot Hescott. The two men allegedly then made off with the slain man’s money. Police said that the alleged accomplice remains at large. A police release stated that Hescott had returned from French Guiana on July 4 to repair his father’s house at Lot 155 Middle Road La Penitence. A sister told police that Hescott left home at around 15:00 hrs on Friday and that she later heard
appeared to be a gunshot. Leon Hescott is the fifth member of his family to be slain. In November 1996, Winston Hescott was shot and killed by police at Madewini on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Adam Hescott was shot dead in 1997. In November 2006, another brother, Shawn Hescott, was gunned down, a stone’s throw from his home, as he sat on a horse-cart chatting with his girlfriend and another woman. On April 17, 2007, Dave Hescott was found dead in the Le Repentir Cemetery with a gunshot wound to the head.
Major insurance seminar on oil, Tuesday A major Insurance Seminar on Oil & Gas will be held from Tuesday to July 11 at Pegasus Hotel. Georgetown. This seminar, which has been organised by Marsh UK and its local affiliate, P&P Insurance Brokers, has attracted 60 delegates drawn not only from the local Insurance industry but also from the Office of the Insurance Regulator, Department of Energy, Ministry of Presidency and The Environmental Protection Agency. The seminar, which will be led by senior executives from Marsh’s London energy practice will cover such topics as An overview of Company Energies and Insurance Market, Risk Identification and Evaluation, Drilling Risk and Control of Well, Upstream and
Downstream Liabilities, Offshore Construction, Upstream Operational Insurance, Offshore Business Interruption (LOPI), Energy Policies Wordings and Claims, FPSO Insurance, Risk Management and Downstream Operational Insurance. Marsh is the world’s leading provider of risk management and the risk transfer advice. Their Energy and Power practice is the world’s leading provider of Risk management and Risk transfer advice to Energy companies worldwide . The seminar itself is based on the Marsh/Chartered Insurance Institute accredited formal training programme for the Oil and Gas Industry.
Sunday July 07, 2019
E’bo trucker shot and robbed of gold chain. A trucker who lives at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, is fortunate to be alive after he was shot and robbed of his gold chain last Friday night. Based on reports, the truck driver, Omadat Singh, was greeted by gunshots when he arrived at his lot 1&2 Onderneeming home Friday night about 19:45 hrs. The 40-year-old man told this publication that he had just returned from Charity, and was securing his truck in his yard at the time of the incident. “I come from Charity and I drive in the yard. I jump out and was winding up the window, when I hear a gunshot. I thought the truck battery burn. When I turn round and lock the door, I heard another shot and when I look up I see the man standing in front of me with a gun,” said Singh. Singh told Kaieteur News that the first round brushed his left leg, but the second missed completely. The man went on to say, “I ask him why he keep shooting at me and he said he wanted the chain, so I give he.” The man said that the gold chain weighs some 120 pennyweight and values about $1 million. Over the past three months, there have been a series of armed robberies in the Onderneeming Community. In three of them,
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Kaieteur News
Value added investment may rescue... From page 15 used to buy a lot of plantains from Wakenaam.” A number of farmers are confident that interest in value added product may very well aid in reducing the oversupply. This publication understands that a factory was constructed on the island in 2014. The island will serve to produce value added products from plantains. “Plantains from Wakenaam being transported off the island for sale.”
“The trucker who was shot, Omadat Singh.” the victims were shot. In May, a pump attendant was shot in the hand and robbed of his gold band. In June, a woman was shot in the foot and her family was robbed of $3000. The similarity with all three cases, is that the suspect was described exactly the same. Singh
described the man as being, ‘Thin, Afro Guyanese, wearing a black and white hoodie, with a black and white bandana tied over the mouth.” The shells retrieved by police after last Friday’s shooting, matched a 9mm pistol; a similar weapon used in the last armed robberies.
The NDC Chairman said, “If they kick start the factory, at least plantain can be at a stable price, let’s say at $60 at least that will keep it at that price… The factory was to produce chips and fruit juice. The building was there since in 2014. Every time we speak with the Ministry, all we get are promises that this factory will be commissioned but to date nothing has happened.”
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Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
Despite rain police parade thrilled spectators Despite an overcast sky and later, rainfall, the different contingents of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) showed up and put on the show expected of them and even surpassed expectations. The Route March was held in observance of the Force’s 180th anniversary. The participants assembled at the Tactical Services Drill Square, Eve Leary. At 15:45 hrs the march began, headed by the police band. The band was followed by the Tactical Services Unit, Presidential Guard, Inspectors, Traffic Ranks, General Duties, Lance Corporals, Corporals, Sergeants, Immigration, CID, Women’s Association, Sports, Scouts, Neighbourhood Police, Community Policing Group, Mounted Police, Canine and River Patrols. The contingents then proceeded east into Young Street, south into Parade Street, east into Lamaha Street, south into Waterloo
Street, west into Church Street, south into Avenue of the Republic, east into Brickdam, where the Minister of Public Security took the salute in front of the Ministry of Public Security. The parade continued south into Chalmers Place, east into D’Urban Street, north into Vlissengen Road and finally east into D’Urban Park where the Commissioner of Police took his salute outside of the entrance. Even though it rained, the ranks held their formation and marched briskly. Throughout the route members of the public cheered. Not one officer was out of place. Each row moved as if it were the same person as arm went up and back at the same time. When the command was called for ‘eyes right’ so that the salute could be taken all heads turned right in a split second. Not a single unit turned after the one in front as Minister Ramjattan took his salute in front of the Ministry of Public Security.
Scenes from the parade.
It started to rain but the Ramjattan stood rigidly like a soldier until every rank passed by him. The ranks seemed to be well rehearsed as they didn’t hesitate on a single command. On marching into D’Urban Park where Commissioner Leslie James took his salute flanked on both sides by his deputies and superintendents, the weather got the best of them as it rained yet again. Not a single person batted an eye and the ranks once again repeated the routine they did with the minister. After every contingent had passed by, the officials dispersed and went to the centre of the park where the ranks were assembled. The crowd loudly cheered as ranks displayed their responsiveness to commands and some very technical routines. They did their final pieces and then preparation for the concert which was to start at17:00 hours began.
Sunday July 07, 2019
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Kaieteur News
---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---
Despite its shortcomings, the Coalition is the Better Choice: I will Campaign for its Return to Office
T
he imminent elec tion will be the most defining one in Guyana’s post-independence experience. There is a lot at stake. Whatever happens going forward, this country will change dramatically. The coming of the Oil and Gas economy would have farreaching economic and political consequences. For me, that is what the debate and discourses on the campaign trail should be about—how the politicians plan to manage the expected collective wealth? All other issues would in one way or another be affected by that central phenomenon. As I have contended before in this column, the heated debates and arguments over the CCJ rulings and their consequences are ultimately about the coming elections. Both major political forces are fighting to ensure that they get the early advantage in the contest. The PPP hopes that its victory at the CCJ would translate into a political advantage as far as the election date is concerned. That party wants an early date because it would minimise the time for a thorough cleansing of the Voters’ List which in its current state seems to give the PPP a better chance of victory. On the other hand, the governing Coalition appears to have more confidence in a cleaner list. On this score, the Coalition is standing on firmer ground—any credible election assumes a credible Voters’ List. The PPP’s argument that since the Coalition did not raise any doubts about the list a few months ago, it should be satisfied with it now is flimsy at best. An election with an obviously tainted Voters’ List is tantamount to rigging. That the PPP is rearing to go this route tells us the extent to which that party wants to get its hands back on the wheels of power. The CCJ should take every care not to get itself entangled in
this ploy by ordering an election without a clean Voters’ List. In the end, it comes down to which one of the two forces is better for Guyana in the short to medium term. Ideally, I would prefer a Government of National Unity that includes all the significant political forces. But the PPP is not interested in, and the Coalition is not enthusiastic about such a government. So, the reality is that we are faced with choosing one or the other. Both sides have strong negatives, some of which they share. Given the goodwill it enjoyed when it first came to power, some of us hoped that the current Coalition government would have given a better account of itself. The disappointment is shared by a critical mass of supporters who showed their displeasure by staying away from the recent Local Government elections. At the individual level, I have been a constant critic of the government, for which I was punished by some of the leaders. The party to which I belong, the WPA, was purposely sidelined within the Coalition. Under normal circumstances, that would be enough to break ranks. But these are not normal times. I still consider myself a revolutionary—that has been my political upbringing and identity. History has shown that revolutionaries are often required to make tough decisions—it is never about clearcut choices. Those of us who struggled for revolutionary change during the moment of revolutionary possibilities have to keep adjusting to the ever-changing political landscape If we decide to remain active in the political arena. This is not a revolutionary moment in Guyana and the Caribbean, and you can’t make revolutions out of nothing. Some observers derided the WPA for joining a partnership with our archenemy, the PNC—it caused lots of
friction within our family. The truth is that revolutionary parties around the world have had to make similar adjustments. So, after very careful consideration, I have decided to endorse the Coalition for the upcoming election and would be campaigning for its return to office. Some of the issues which I feel strongly about— poverty alleviation, ethnic equality, education reform, constitutional reform, village renewal, gender equality, decriminalisation of the state, democratic governance and living wages for the poor— would stand a better chance with the Coalition in office. Despite the less than sterling intra-coalition management of APNU+AFC, I still feel a Coalition Government provides more opportunities for change than a one-party government still wedded to the notion of ethno-racial domination. My support for the government’s re-election is not an abandonment of my role as self-critic and watchdog of government. But as I told a WPA community meeting in Buxton on Thursday night, there is a time and place for everything. Now is the time to rally the country around the Coalition as the better choice going forward. I, therefore, intend to help the Coalition, through the WPA, which has identified a role for itself. It is our view that there is a critical mass of voters who are despondent with the Coalition’s performance and are threatening to stay away from the polls. WPA intends to reason with those voters in intimate groundings where we hope to hear voters’ concerns and impart the necessary voter education and consciousness. The Buxton meeting was the first of a series of community meetings or groundings planned by the WPA in the coming weeks to begin this process. We intend to visit as many communities as our limited resources per-
The Baccoo Speaks People in the depressed area of the city are dying violently, largely because of the drive to get money the illegal way. A recent shooting death would cause the police to zero in on a location in the city where drug pushers are known to hang out. They will make arrests and find some illegal weapons, but there will be some difficulty in identifying the recent killer.
** It is unusual for five brothers to die by the gun over a period. This is going to cause the family to pay attention to the remaining
son. But the police are bracing for a backlash. Relatives are going to turn to the gun to exact revenge. ** Revelations that the Guyana Police Force is rife with corruption would spark an administrative shake-up. There is going to be fingerpointing. Things are happening now because of decisive action by the authorities.
mit. Our campaign is a supplement to the larger Coalition campaign. Contrary to the view some myopic observers, there is still a segment of the electorate that welcomes the deep reasoning and grounding which is part of WPA’s praxis . As one man at the Buxton meeting said, after listening to us, he has been won back as a Coalition voter. That is part of what WPA sets out to do—win back the disaffected Coalition voter, even as we
uplift the faithful. I noticed the PPP’s Peeping Tom (Kaieteur News, July 6, 2019) has referred to me and the WPA as “Paper Tiger.” There are two things I would say to the PPP. First, you have every right to fear the WPA’s presence, for we stand between you and the voters you intend to fool. Second, it is better to be a Paper Tiger than to do nothing. The PPP prefers the WPA to be silent and do nothing. We will not!
Dr David Hinds More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
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Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
Death visits Mrs. Doobay
- She welcomed her visitor with refreshments; He beat her to death with a hammer By Michael Jordan
T
he van with the two alleged killers exited the police station. I followed at a discreet distance. Eventually, the police van stopped in Stone Avenue, Campbellville. The cops, accompanied by the two handcuffed men, got out. A brutal and baffling murder investigation was about to end. It had begun on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 24, 2011, when detectives got a call that sent them to a property at Echilibar Villas, Campbellville. The residence belonged to Ramsundar Doobay, the Head of Internal Medicine at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Dr. Doobay told the police that he had arrived at his home at around four-thirty p.m. He was accompanied by a nephew. He called for his wife, 58-year-old Sharanie Doobay, called ‘Monica’, to open the door, but got no answer. Dr. Doobay, the ranks were told, eventually sought assistance from his nephew to remove a few panes from a window on the upper flat, since those in the lower flat were reinforced with metal grills. The nephew then climbed through the window. Finding no one upstairs, he then ventured to the bottom flat. He found Sharanie Doobay, fully clothed, lying dead in a pool of blood near the kitchen. She had been struck several times in the head with a blunt instrument. One of the wounds was to the back of the head, another at the side, and two to the top of the skull. Detectives who examined the body found “two balls of hair” clutched in her right hand. One of the fingers on her left hand was smashed. The police suspected that she sustained the injury while trying to ward of the killer’s blows, and that she managed to grab the perpetrator with her right hand. But the detectives were baffled. They had found no sign of forced entry. And what kind of killer would leave a substantial sum of cash behind? Some $10M was still in the house. Dr. Doobay’s licenced 9mm Glock pistol was also left untouched. Detectives found no trace of the murder weapon, despite a thorough search of the premises. A pathologist indicated that Mrs. Doobay was killed about two and a half hours before she was found. Crime Scene investigators also found what appeared to be traces of blood in the
Investigators look for the murder weapon Doobays’ kitchen sink and also in a bedroom sink. That seemed to indicate that the killer washed off before leaving the scene. But who could that killer be? Whoever he was, he had entered and escaped unseen. No one in the area claimed to have witnessed any suspicious individuals in the vicinity of the Doobays’ residence. In fact, one resident only realised that something was amiss when she saw the doctor and nephew removing the window panes. To some residents, Mrs. Doobay was an intensely private person who occasionally had close relatives over for religious functions. They also said she was not the sort to open her door to strangers. Relatives also said that the doctor and his wife were very close and had been married for more than 30 years. The investigators suspected that someone that Mrs. Doobay knew well had bludgeoned her in a fit of rage. Working on that theory, police briefly detained a relative of the slain woman. They also subjected Dr. Doobay to extensive questioning; even searching his car and checking the vehicle for possible bloodstains. They also took hair samples from the physician. Five days after the killing, the detectives appeared to make a vital breakthrough. Phone records retrieved from the Doobays’ phone revealed that Mrs. Doobay had received a call from a friend on the afternoon that she was killed. Mrs. Doobay reportedly told the friend that ‘Mark’ her nephew, and his friend, were visiting at the time. The investigators had been questioning that nephew. At first, the relative, 38year-old Mark Singh, denied that he had entered Mrs. Doobay’s house on the day of the murder. However, under intense questioning,
The killer: Mark Singh Singh stated he and a friend had visited Mrs. Doobay around 2.00 p.m. on the same day she was killed. The nephew said that they drank water and beverages while in the house. He claimed that his 58-year-old aunt was still alive when he and the friend left. Investigators took the nephew and the friend, Shakir Mohamed, into custody. They also impounded a car that they suspected was used to transport the killer or killers to and from the scene. MURDER WEAPON FOUND At around noon on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, with the two handcuffed suspects in a van, detectives headed to a trench in Stone Avenue, Campbellville. A senior crime scene investigator lowered a metal detector into the trench. Two ranks then entered the trench and began the search for a hammer that the suspects had allegedly disposed of. However, an hour elapsed without anything being found. By then, a crowd began to gather and some onlookers began to hurl remarks at the suspects. Some suggested that the suspects assist in the search. After another fruitless hour had passed, some of the detectives left the scene in a pickup. They returned with three vagrants.
Freed: Shakir Mohamed Stripping to their underwear, the vagrants entered the trench. In less than ten minutes, one of the men held up a plastic-wrapped claw hammer. The murder weapon had been found. MOTIVE And the motive for the murder? Mark Singh, the nephew, had lived at a Plaisance, East Coast Demerara property that his aunt owned. But Mrs. Doobay had threatened to evict him and sell the propDetectives search the Doobay property
erty because he had failed to pay the rates and taxes. That threat was enough for the nephew to resolve to murder his aunt. Mark Singh told the police that on May 24, 2011, he visited his aunt. He claimed that his friend, Shakir Mohamed, a taxi driver, accompanied him. Mrs. Doobay let them in, and he handed over some money that he owed his aunt. The men allegedly then pretended to be hungry and she gave them refreshments. But when her back was turned, the nephew sneaked up on his aunt and struck her repeatedly on the head with a hammer. He claimed that they then left in the friend’s car, taking a bag of cash and the murder weapon. Apparently unknown to them, another bag with some $10M more was in the house. The hammer which was wrapped in a plastic bag, was dumped in a trench at the corner of Stone Avenue and Fourth Street, Campbellville. That area was just a corner away from the Doobays’ residence. On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, Mark Singh and his friend, taxi driver Shakir Mohamed, were charged and remanded for the murder of Mrs. Doobay. But their lawyer, Gordon Gilhuys, alleged that the ranks who arrested his clients placed a black plastic bag over the men’s heads. He claimed that they were forced to sign confession statements. MOHAMED’S STATEMENT The prosecution had pre-
sented a caution statement in which it was alleged that Mohamed revealed that he had met with Mark Singh about two weeks before the crime was committed. Mohamed allegedly told the police that Singh said that he was paying his aunt’s rates and taxes and that “It was getting to he and he plan fuh kill she.” Mohamed, according to the statement, recalled that on May 24, 2011, he and Singh were at the home of Mrs. Doobay, but Singh was the one who took a hammer and clubbed his aunt to the head. A senior police rank testified that Mohamed informed the investigators that while they were in Mrs. Doobay’s home, the aunt received a call from England. He recounted that he was in front of Singh, when Singh “tek the hammer in the plastic bag and lash she (the aunt) wan good set a lash to she mole and the base ah she head. She scream and I ease her to the ground in the kitchen.” The accused was said to have told police that the woman was still moving but her nephew “give she one more lash in she head and she stop moving.” He allegedly told police that Mark subsequently left him with his motionless aunt in the kitchen and went to the back of the house. Mohamed had allegedly stated that Singh returned sometime later with a bag. He had no knowledge of the contents of the bag but he suspected that it was money. He told investigators that after leaving the residence his (Continued on page 27)
Sunday July 07, 2019
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Kaieteur News
==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
If Guyanese accept this, then they are the world’s stupidest people
T
he ruling politi cians, including President Granger, have announced a Cabinet decision to remove imprisonment on conviction of 30 grams or less of ganja. The deception inherent in that action, in the opinion of this columnist, makes this regime the world’s most deceitful, lying, and twisted administration in the entire world. But there is a positive dimension to this sickening skullduggery. We are in an election season and every major opposition party should use this perverted announcement by a jaded, faded regime, clinging on for dear life, as a campaign issue. All opposition parties should go to every nook and cranny of
this vast country to expose the horrible mentality of rulers who are bent on fooling people in the most insane way just to get their votes. First, the Cabinet decision is asininity on display. Cabinet cannot change a law. Only the part of the state that is known as the legislature can do so at a statutory meeting of Parliament where official voting takes place to pass a Bill into law. The demagogues that perambulated Guyana telling citizens that Cabinet approved changes in the anti-narcotics law are fictionwriters. The law stands until Parliament amends it. Secondly, the deceivers know that there will be no formal meeting of the House in 2019 and beyond until the re-
sults of the imminent general election. The deceivers know full well what the CCJ will order them to do on July 12 and what they order them to do will not involve calling parliament into session to pass Bills. For there to be an official session of the House, there has to be a presiding Speaker. Speaker Scotland refused to declare the no-confidence vote invalid and echoed a preference for the courts to decide. The courts have. There should have been a general election in March this year. My guess is if the deceivers want to call the House to order, Speaker Scotland will not defy the CCJ. In case you don’t know, Scotland is a respected doctor of law.
From page 26 suspicions were confirmed, as Singh, who had no money earlier in the day, was subsequently able to pay off a debt he owed to a shop. According to the statement, Mohamed also detailed that after leaving the residence Singh tossed the murder weapon (the hammer wrapped in black plastic bag) into a gutter at the corner of Stone Avenue and Fourth Street, Campbellville. DEATHANDACQUITTAL Mark Singh never stood trial for his aunt’s murder. On Monday, June 4, 2012, he was taken to the Georgetown Hospital after suffering from what was said to be a severe case of asthma. He took a turn for the worse and succumbed the following day. On January 28, 2016, after
a second trial, Shakir Mohamed, the co-accused, was acquitted. Justice Navindra Singh had upheld a no-case submission made by his defence attorney Maxwell McKay. Justice Singh highlighted that while the prosecution advanced that Mohamed was operating in a joint enterprise with Mark Singh, the caution statement and the evidence led in the case did not substantiate such a pact. In brief remarks while granting Mohamed his freedom, Justice Singh said, “Perhaps only you really know what happened that day.” The judge also said Mohamed could have done things differently by reporting the matter to the police after witnessing Doobay being murdered. “I believe Mark Singh
killed Mrs. Doobay, but you [Mohamed] could have and should have done things differently after, by at least going to the police.” “Perhaps in a strange turn of events, I guess justice was served in a way, as I’m told that Mark Singh has died.” “Good luck,” Justice Singh told Mohamed. “Watch how you conduct yourself and try to do things differently.” If you have any information on this case or other unusual incident please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. You can also reach us on telephone numbers: 22-58458, 22-58465, 22-58482, or 2258491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan on his email address: kamarangnight@gmail.com
Death visits Mrs. Doobay
Thirdly, it is an act of shocking betrayal and sickening deception for the Cabinet to tell this nation that it wants jail terms removed for up to 30 grams of ganja. The PNC and AFC promised the nation in the 2015 election campaign that there would be substantial changes to the draconian aspects of the anti-narcotic legislation. Nigel Hughes, at the time the AFC’s chairman, drafted, with another legal colleague, an amendment. It removed the illegality of very small amounts. It automatically granted bail for possession, and it removed compulsory imprisonment on conviction. The amendment was put on the order paper of the House in 2016 under the name of AFC parliamentarian Michael Carrington. The Opposition PPP agreed to vote for the amendment. The Bill was mysteriously removed from the order paper. Michael Carrington publicly stated on television that the PNC did not want the amendment to be debated. Carrington said he could be quoted as telling me that PNC whip Amna Ally approached him to have the Bill dropped. My sources tell me President Granger does not
want the amendment. This is the fourth time in these columns I am accusing him as being the force behind the dormancy of Carrington’s Bill. Granger should have the power of his conviction to tell the nation why the bill has been shelved since 2016. I honestly feel Mr. Granger’s role in this affair – both the dropping of the amendment and now the ugly Cabinet act of misleading Guyanese – shows he is not a person to be trusted politically. As a commentator and academic analyst, I have long disassociated myself from the fashionable opinion of Granger - a clean, incorruptible man. A clean, incorruptible leader does not necessarily have qualities to lead a nation. Granger falls within this classification. Fourthly, you see the nature of the beast with the Cabinet announcement. They intend to fool an entire nation. The deceivers failed to legalise the amendment for four years when Parliament was active. Then the deceivers know that they were just mouthing off and could not have been serious about changes to the law because Cabinet cannot make or
Frederick Kissoon change laws. This was an intentional, barefaced conspiracy to mislead an entire country. Another aspect of the depraved deception was that the deceivers know full well that despite their proclamation, the possession of even one gram of ganja is illegal and you will be arrested. This is an amount that no other country arrests and detains people for – one or two grams. Only idiotic leaders would retain such draconian nonsense. We end with the question in the caption: do Guyanese believe the deceivers?
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Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
One good Term deserves another “We have found that the Neighbourhood and Regional Democratic Councils are not utilising their budgetary allocations and subventions to maintain the infrastructure in their communities. We found this worrying situation in Regions 5 and 6, and on the East Coast of Demerara.” This was the lament of Party Vice Chairman, Cathy Hughes, after community walkabouts by Government officials last week. She was
especially concerned that residents were not getting paid for the work they did clearing trenches and parapets, trimming trees. “They (NDC’s) are not spending the money they were allocated so the maintenance work is not getting done and unfortunately, residents are blaming central government,” she said. “It is not surprising that situations like these are prevalent in the villages controlled
by the Parliamentary Opposition.” While walking through the villages, the ministers appealed to the NDC Chairpersons to get the work done, to make their neighbours safe and comfortable. Issues raised by residents included the “half-completed” main road and streets, the failure of village councils and officials to perform simple maintenance works, and a distinct lack of vision displayed by community leaders on the
East Coast. She also bemoaned the absence of ‘high expectation’ among the citizens which she said is sad. “Everything that is happening indicates that the immediate future of this country is going to be bright.” While walking about Beterverwagting she said to the residents, “I wish you had the chance to travel and experience for yourself how people who had not heard about Guyana before 2015 describe this country. To them Guyana is “South America, the hottest place to be right now”. Of course, this is due to the high expectations that the developed countries have for this small nation that will benefit from first oil in less than one year’s time. Guyana also needs to be under prudent management of its revenue and the Treasury so that all citizens in the entire country can reap the benefits. You, the Citizens of Guyana, have the control. YOU have to decide whom you trust to manage the oil funds, and use it to develop this nation for yourself and your children; YOU have to be able to see through certain people’s political ambitions and their greed; YOU have to look and stay aware of what everyone is doing, and decide if they are helping you or just talking and shouting and promising. You have to pay attention to see who is building you up, or holding you back by refusing to provide you even with
basic services like trench clearing, and potable water. The Opposition is guilty! They spent long years doing what their acolytes are still doing, i.e. failing to provide you with basic services. The PPP has refused to take up their places on state boards; they deliberately delay dealing with parliamentary matters; and they refuse to do anything that will take Guyana forward. In the four short years that the Coalition has been managing this economy, and in spite of the opposition’s efforts to hold us back, the government has moved Guyana forward. There has been more development under the Coalition government in just 4 years than the previous 23 years when the Opposition were “the Rulers” as they referred to themselves. Do you remember the violent crime wave of the early 2000s, how citizens were forced to hurry home before or just after dark? Those days are gone. Here is why:1. One of our strongest programmes is citizen security because there is no way we will allow the criminals to regain any strength and power 2. The security sector is more robust 3. Piracy is almost eliminated as Government works with our Surinamese counterparts to ensure pirates face the brunt of the law in both countries 4. We are keeping surveillance on all the crooks 5. The Police Force is bet-
ter equipped to tackle crime, solving them at a much faster rate 6. Guyana now has the machinery to perform DNA tests to help solve crime 7. In collaboration with international agencies, we have put a massive dent in the drug trade We continue to work towards making Guyana into a nation will not constantly be marked down by the IMF, the DEA, Scotland Yard and other international crime-solving bodies. Instead we now receive positive reviews from lending agencies and even the international stock exchanges like the NASDAQ Index. They have labelled Guyana as the country with the fastest-growing economy in the world. Better days are coming! Despite what the ‘purveyors of doom’ are preaching on their television stations, Guyana is already the most attractive place for investors, so now is not the time for citizen to become complacent. We have to keep our eyes peeled for any opportunity to earn money in agriculture, hospitality, food preparation and preservation, by learning to package the fruits and vegetables that grow all around us for sale in local supermarkets and abroad. The Ministry of Public Telecommunications is about to launch a Farmers Market app that will link farmers of every kind of produce with buyers in Guyana, distributors and overseas buyers. The ministry is also about to team up with MACORP that is offering free online training for youths and adult men and women, in heavy-duty machinery operation and repairs. Community meetings is grassroots democracy at work, with free exchange of information and ideas up and down the scale. This is one promise we intend to keep on keeping.
Sunday July 07, 2019
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Kaieteur News
My column
The education system is failing Guyana’s young people Once more attention has been shifted to the school curriculum. This was caused by the recent results of the Grade Six Examinations. Again attention was on the top performers. For starters, people began to look at the performance of the public schools. The two top performers came from public schools in rural Guyana. That in itself tells a story that one does not have to pay exorbitant fees for one’s child to do well. It boils down to the ability of the child to learn and the quality of the teachers. Back in the somewhat past there were no private schools, but there were excellent teachers. When the private schools began to appear there were public schools that stood out. There were St Margaret’s Primary and Stella Maris. People expected to see the top performers coming from those schools and they were not disappointed. Indeed, another private school emerged, West Ruimveldt Primary. Such was the entry of the latter that people screamed “cheat”. Six of the top ten performers came from that school. I remember interviewing the children and their teachers back in 1995. I found no evidence that the children had prior knowledge of the examination. But I found something else. I found that people were not keen to recognise the efforts of children from the poorer sections of the society. Of course, there were investigations that came up empty. The teacher responsible for the success was a Mr. Success. He did almost the same thing the next year and again people suspected cheating. He continues to churn out top performers, this time from his own school. St Margaret’s and Stella Maris began to fade. Many of their teachers had moved on to private schools where they were paid a bit more, not much more.
But there were rural public schools. One was the Leonora Primary School. The one year that this school did exceedingly well there was talk about cheating; again. The school performed almost as well the next year. It is still doing well. But there is another West Demerara school, a private one that hogged the top spots this year. It must be the teachers with support from parents who have talented children and who have disposable income. Yet there are other children who have talent but who do not have teachers of the quality in the city. Here I must look at the performance of the schools in the hinterland. These schools try but the Education Ministry must begin to focus on them. It cannot have teachers refusing to be posted to the hinterland. I speak from experience. I was one teacher who got posted to the hinterland and I do not regret it. The offshoot was that I prepared students who went on to make names for themselves in the country. One is a Minister of Government and a very good Ophthalmologist. These people may not have been among the top performers at the secondary schools entrance examination, but there were certainly what people call late developers. All they needed were teachers who could help them along the way. But that aside, there are children who are not academically inclined. The system fails them. It forces these children to compete with those better skilled for academic
performance. Many drop out of school. I remember when Forbes Burnham introduced the multilateral schools. He recognised that there were children who could be good in the technical stream. And many did well, becoming artisans and making a successful living. Yet Guyana did not continue with this programme. Technical education that was so integral was ignored. In my day there were many trained technical education teachers. Today, I am not certain that many graduate from the Government training college for teachers. We had home economic teachers who also prepared girls for life after school. Guyana was a much better place. The hard criminals were few because they developed reasoning skills in schools. They were taught good from bad. Today, looking at the age of the criminals one can trace their development back to the days when Guyana placed less emphasis on technical education. Parents, too, need to pay closer attention to their children. Not many do so today, especially if they themselves were no big deals as schoolchildren. Although, there are those who insist that they take to their books. They may not be au fait with what’s in the books, but their insistence that the children attempt to study has borne fruit. Coming readily to mind is the son of an unemployed cane cutter. This lad is one of the standouts . What is really worrying is
the fact that at least 12,000 children who wrote the examination would be ignored. Parents are going to send some of them to the lesser known private schools where the focus is on money and less on imparting knowledge. I have seen some of these schools operate. They do not have good teachers and many do not pay close attention to attendance, except when it is time for the school fees to be paid. I worry for these children because so many of them could fall by the wayside. It is not by accident that some of them sell drugs
in school. Then there are the young mothers, many of whom are now getting a second chance. People are tutoring them for free.It should never have come to this. But Guyana is not unique. This is also the case in some other Caribbean countries. Small wonder that the murder rate is so high in Trinidad and Jamaica. The people wielding the guns are those whom the education system ignored. Guyana expects oil. The money should be spent on developing the school system. Singapore, a country once as poor as Guyana fo-
Adam Harris cused on education to jump start its development. In the same time it has taken for Guyana to reach where it is now, Singapore has grown to a First World country.
PAGE 30
(Statement of His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, to the Central Planning and Housing Authority on 31 May 2019) National housing policy Housing, together with food and clothing, is an essential element of human existence. Government’s policy is defined by the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana which proclaims [at Article 26] that: “Every citizen has the right to proper housing accommodation.” The Constitution proclaims, also [at Article 19] that: “Every citizen has the right to own personal property which includes such assets as dwelling houses and the land on which they stand...”Guyana’s housing policy is consistent, further, with United Nation’s International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 which proclaims the right of everyone to: “…to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions…” - Happy homes, happy families and happy communities are the foundation of a happy country and of the
Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
good life. Houses are where families live. Families are the basic cells of communities. Communities are the bases on which the country is built. - Housing is important to the quality of life. Housing helps to keep families together. It is necessary for the proper upbringing of children. Housing adds economic value to the nation. The housing sector creates demand for raw materials, labour and other services. - Guyana’s housing policy is an inseparable and integral ingredient of community development. The principal objective of the government’s housing policy is to encourage “accessible and affordable housing in sanitary and safe communities with the necessities for wholesome and dignified living.” Government has adopted a holistic approach to community development through the provision of basic infrastructure services such as electricity, telephones, roads, solid waste disposal and pure water supply and, also, recreational, educational and sports facilities.Government’s new housing policy is aimed at ensuring affordable and accessible housing for all. The new housing policy rests on four pillars: Reorientation:
Government’s housing programme is reoriented to give priority to the housing needs of the most vulnerable – low-income earners, particularly low-income public servants desirous of becoming first-time home owners. The government plans over the next three years to build 10,000 low income units (being verified). -Resources : Government’s housing policy emphasizes holistic community development. Government’s housing programme will go beyond the provision of house lots and housing units. It will provide for the holistic needs of residents including education, electricity, fire protection services, health, worship, human safety, recreation, roads, sanitation, street lights and water. - Regularization: Shanties, slums and squatter settlements must be brought to an end. Squatters who reside on reserves have need to be relocated and resettled. The affected persons will be provided with the option of acquiring government housing. - Regionalisation: Migration of persons out of our villages and hinterland communities has created a high demand for housing within urban centres. The neglect of rural and hinterland develop-
ment has forced persons to gravitate to the urban centres in search of economic opportunities. The government’s new housing programme, based in part on the development of capital towns in the hinterland regions, will aim at increasing the rural and hinterland housing stock. This when coupled with the economic development of these regions could result in reverse migration. Central Planning and Housing Authority: - British Guiana’s housing situation by 1945 had become dire. Overcrowding and slumlike conditions proliferated the towns and countryside. The colonial government – responding to pressure from the working class – took the lead in establishing a central authority to provide housing for low income persons. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) was established in 1948. It assumed responsibility for housing in Georgetown. Support for housing for sugar workers in rural areas was provided by the Sugar Industry Welfare Fund. - The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), inter alia, is empowered to acquire sell and develop lands for housing and to set aside other lands for industrial and
commercial usage. It is tasked with the development – including the provision of infrastructure and public services – of housing schemes and the orderly development of our city, towns and rural and urban areas. - The CHPA is expected to implement government’s housing policy of ensuring that accessible and affordable housing to low- and middle income families and provide for the holistic development of all residential areas. - A Ministry of Housing and Reconstruction, to push housing development, was created following the attainment of political independence in 1966. The national housing drive accelerated rapidly in 1970 following the passage of the Housing Development Act. The establishment of financial institutions such as the Guyana Mortgage Finance Bank and the Guyana National Cooperative Bank boosted the housing drive, the former dedicated to providing housing loans. A number of options, including aided selfhelp, cooperative self-help, rentals and rental purchase of government housing units, were utilized in providing and supporting low-income housing schemes between 1970 and 1980. Government’s involvement in housing devel-
opment over the past two decades revolved principally around the sale and allocation of house lots to individuals and the divestment of lands to private housing developers. This policy has not satisfied the demand for housing. The housing programme of the past two decades was bedevilled with problems including: prohibitive costs for house lots; abysmal infrastructure within housing schemes; instances of failures on the part of some private developers to meet their contractual obligations; sloth in the processing of land titles; and shoddy construction work of government housing units. The policy of my Government is that there should be a roof over every head. Every citizen should enjoy the right to housing. Every home, in turn should belong to a community in which our citizens can enjoy good health, fresh air and clean water; where they walk the streets free from molestation, benefit from good roads, street lights and pavements and where their children can have access to a sound education and facilities for play and recreation. This is our vision of housing. It is an achievable vision which can lead to the good life for all.
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Shin Splints: The intense leg pain By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine hin splints are a type of pain you get in your shinbone - the large bone in the front of your lower leg. They often occur when you overuse your legs more than normal. The pains can be intense and some may be unable to walk because of the severity of the pain. While the pain can be severe, the good news is it is not a dangerous condition and will resolve in time - usually within a few weeks, with rest and proper treatment. WHATARE SYMPTOMS OF SHIN SPLINTS? You can get shin splints in one or both of your legs. Most people who have shin splints feel pain on the inside edge of their shinbones. Pain may be a sharp or a dull ache. Your shins may hurt when you’re active and/or inactive. The pain may be worse with pressure or exercise. It may improve with rest and at-home treatment. It will usually come on the day after you would have overexerted your legs. WHAT CAUSES SHIN SPLINTS?
S
Shin splints occur from repeated and often high-impact motion. They cause inflammation where your muscles and tendons connect to your shinbone. Some people have an increased risk of getting shin splints. This includes people who: · Play sports, such as running, dancing, and gymnastics · Exercise on hard surfaces · Wear ill-fitting or worn out shoes · Have flat feet · Roll their feet when they walk or run · Increase training times, levels, or distances too fast · Are new to a high-impact sport. HOWARE SHIN SPLINTS DIAGNOSED? You should go see your doctor if: · Your pain does not improve with rest · Your shin area is swollen, red, or hot to touch. Your doctor will review your symptoms, activity, and health history. They may order tests, including an X-ray or an MRI. These help rule out other issues, such as a stress fracture. This is a small crack along the bone.
CAN SHIN SPLINTS BE PREVENTED OR AVOIDED? Athletes who are at risk of shin splints can take some precautions. Runners should choose shoes that fit well and absorb shock. Shoes start to lose shock resistance after about 250 miles of use. Try running on softer surfaces, such as a track or treadmill. Do not increase training too fast if you are new or getting back into running. Cross training with low-impact activities also can help. Examples of these include swimming and using an elliptical machine. ARE THERETREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SHIN SPLINTS? Treatment for shin splints depends on the degree of your injury and your health. You can try at-home treatments, such as the following: · Decrease activity or rest. Identify what motions affect your shins most and limit or stop these. If your pain doesn’t improve, switch to low impact exercises or rest from all activity. · Ice your shins. You can ice your lower leg a few times a day. Use ice packs, ice massage, or an ice bath. This can
help reduce swelling and ease pain. · Pain medicine. You can take an anti-inflammatory pain medication such as ibuprofen or diclofenac to relieve the pain and swelling. · Stretching is important to prevent and treat injuries. With shin splints, you should stretch your calves, Achilles tendons, and ankles well. · Massage also can help in releasing and relaxing your muscles. Try massaging your calves, Achilles tendons, and other muscles surrounding your shins. · Kinesiology tape (KT tape). This is a type of flex-
ible athletic tape. There are specific applications depending on your injury. KT tape can help relieve pain from shin splints and provide support. · Your doctor may recommend getting physical therapy. This can help with pain, but also strengthen your leg muscles. Athletes can try using orthotic shoe inserts or arch supports. These help realign your feet and absorb shock. Ask your doctor for suggestions. Begin treatment right away if you have symptoms of shin splints. This can help reduce
Dr Zulfikar Bux long-term damage. It can take several weeks or months for shin splints to heal. Once the pain is gone, you can return to your normal routine. Do remember to go slow initially so that you can prevent another bout of shin splints.
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SUNDAY QUESTIONS RAISED OVER $$$$M IN POLICE ‘SNITCH’ MONEY The troubles of the police force seem to be piling up. This time the attention is focused on millions of dollars that are allocated to pay informants. Over time, according to police officials, there have been funds allocated for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of each division, the Fraud Squad, Narcotics and the Major Crimes Unit. For the divisions, there is at least $20,000 allocated to each of the seven CID offices. The Narcotics division has a little moreabout $100,000. Crime Chief, Lyndon Alves, would also be allowed about $100,000 too. However, from all indications for several months now, there have been difficulties in accessing those funds. According to police sources, the money was collected by a senior police official at Eve Leary and ranks who wanted money to pay informants were told to approach that senior officer directly. “What we know is that our people were affected because nobody wanted to go ask him directly. If fact, we are being told the money was collected for the other divisions as well and not handed over.” Monthly, the money added up to over $300,000. This latest news of informants, or snitch money as it is called, would follow that there is a full fledged probe ongoing at the police Finance Department for alleged fraud. That investigation is not over yet, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan disclosed last week. Reportedly, cheques to the tune of millions of dollars were encashed to make questionable payments. These developments would come, too, as the police’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) started a probe recently into damning allegations made by whistle-blowing cops from Berbice. The policemen, including detectives, are accusing senior and junior ranks, of organized criminal activities using the force’s resources. It was alleged that policemen were providing security for drug shipments; taking bribes to duck cases and even payments to kill a rank who was testifying in court in a drug matter. It was reported that a
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bandit, hours before he and two gang members were hunted down and killed in the Corentyne backlands after a string of brazen Berbice robberies, had called a senior police officer in the city a number of times. EXXONMOBIL SPEEDS AHEAD WITHANOTHER WELL IN TURBO AREA On June 28, last, ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), commenced a drilling operation at the Tripletail-1 well site within the Stabroek Block. This is according to a notice to mariners that was published by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in the Saturday edition of the Kaieteur Newspaper. The advertisement noted that the drilling operation will conclude on September 30, 2019. It will see the incorporation of 13 vessels for the job. These include Noble Tom Madden, Cat Island, Eland, Oryx, C-Installer, Clarence Triche, Michael Crombie Mc Call, Paradise Island, Sanibel Island, Horn Island, Robert Adams, John G. Mc Call, and Jack Edwards. The survey area is said to be approximately 110 nautical miles from Guyana’s coast and covers an area of one square kilometer. ExxonMobil’s latest discovery, being at the Yellowtail-I is also in the Turbot area. In fact, Yellowtail-I marks the fifth discovery in the Turbot Area which is located in the eastern section of Stabroek. It includes other discoveries such as Turbot1, Longtail, Pluma and Tilapia-I which have shown high quality hydrocarbon bearing sandstone reservoirs. ExxonMobil expects the Turbot Area to become a major development hub, following Liza and Payara. F u r t h e r m o r e , ExxonMobil and its partner, Hess Corporation, contend that Stabroek’s growing resource base, now estimated at more than five billion oil-equivalent barrels, could support at least five floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025. At that level of output, both companies said that the potential exists for Guyana to produce more than its struggling neighbour – and OPEC member – Venezuela. Industry analysts, Wood MacKenzie have also said in its latest analysis that Guyana
is among the best basins proven since 2014. GOVT APPROACHES WORLD BANK FOR US$20M – TO FUND OIL RELATED ASSESSMENTS Government has applied to the World Bank for financing to the tune of US$20M. The funding is for the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP). Part of the proceeds are meant to pay a consulting firm for The Strategic Environmental & Social Assessment (SESA). Government has sent out the request for Expressions of Interest related specifically to the Strategic Environmental & Social Assessment (SESA), with estimated project duration of 15 months, commencing in this year. The Department of Energy, according to a release, intends for this initiative to meet long-term country development outcomes by integrating environmental, social (including labour), health, safety and security considerations in oil and gas policies, laws and sector growth. Most notably, in relation to Oil Spill Preparedness, Emergency Response and Crisis Management, the initiative will identify the existing government agencies in Guyana with responsibility (defined mandates, roles and responsibilities), and existing built in capacity (or lack of) for contingency planning and response. Since the first discovery in 2015, Guyana has been rushing to prepare a framework to manage production in the centre, slated for 2020. That is likely the fastest a country has ever gone from the first discovery of oil, to production. SESA is meant to provide a comprehensive review of the sector’s potential impacts, both positive and negative, and identify gaps in regulations, institutional capacity, and public consultation mechanisms. The SESA is meant to be a strategic framework for strengthening environmental and social sustainability of the oil and gas sector in Guyana, strengthening the country’s ability to address health and safety issues in this sector, and to inform the preparation of an Indigenous People’s Planning Framework (IPPF). In the process, the SESA is meant to contribute to a more transparent understanding of environmental and social regulations, creating a more level playing field for private
investors, according to the Ministry of the Presidency. There are several areas that SESA will scope. First is the environmental and social impact management experience in the sector, including water quality, air quality, geology and soils, biodiversity, marine resources, socio-economic and coastal activities. MONDAY EXPATS, SUB-CONTRACTORS EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX ABNORMAL … these are among 13 major loopholes Guyana’s model PSA must address – Petroleum Consultant The paltry two percent royalty in Guyana’s Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil is not the only fiscal provision considered by industry analysts to be abnormal. University of Houston I n s t r u c t o r, To m M i t r o , recently pointed out that there are absurd provisions which allow expatriates and subcontractors’ salaries or income to not be subject to tax. The Petroleum Consultant noted that under Section 15.12 of the PSA, expatriates’ salaries
are not subject to Income tax if they don’t spend more than 183 days in country. Mitro said that this is an old trick in the book as the company simply gets many expatriates to be in rotation to avoid going over the 183 days. The Consultant stressed that most countries have plugged this tax avoidance loophole that companies have been abusing. Guyana should too. Wi t h respect to subcontractors’ income, Mitro highlighted that Section 15.10 of the PSA allows for it to be exempted from Corporate Income tax during the exploration period. The Consultant categorically stated that this is somewhat bizarre and should be corrected in Guyana’s model PSA. Another strange feature he highlighted is that Guyana has opted to not impose any Capital Gains Tax on a sale of interest. Take the case of Eco Atlantic and Tullow, two oil and gas firms which signed a PSA for the Orinduik Block with the Granger administration. The contract was sealed in 2016 but months after getting the block, Eco which had 40 percent of the shares in the Orinduik Block, sold 25
percent of that to French oil major, Total. Eco only had to pay a measly $100,000 to the government as a fee for allowing Total to buy into the block. Eco on the other hand, sold its shares to Total for some US$12.5M. Had Guyana imposed the Capital Gains Tax, it would have been able to tax that very US$12.5M and earn more. Mitro told Kaieteur News that may countries have recognised how much they are losing in this regard and are already imposing the tax. He recommended that Guyana does the same. Mitro stressed that while it is not unusual to allow the contractor to recover costs, Guyana must put a cap on how much excess costs can be carried over for recovery in a given year. At the moment, Guyana’s PSA allows Exxon and its partners to recover 75 percent of its costs annually. But there is an unlimited carry forward of any unrecovered costs. Mitro said this loophole has to be closed going forward. What he also found odd, is that Guyana failed to establish in the PSA with Exxon, its right to have a National Oil Company acquire an equity share at the point of development. Not having this obligation is a real (Continued on page 36)
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through the four large oil companies.
GRA BOSS SAYS… FUELSMUGGLING: ONE OF GRA’S BIGGEST OBSTACLES
CCJ LAUDS LOCAL COURTS FOR SPEEDY HANDLING OF NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION CASES
Every year the country loses billions of dollars to fuel smuggling. Fuel smuggling is widespread and it is one of Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) biggest difficulties. Illegitimate traders will stop at nothing to defraud the state, in order to save money. This happens at the level of under invoicing and over invoicing. Related party transactions and transport are also common. Mr. Godfrey Statia, Commissioner General of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) made several points about fuel smuggling. He said, “A lot of manufacturers import goods that are not subject to consumption taxes.” He added that they would have to establish an evaluation database where they would find those who are over invoiced and those who under invoice. Smuggled goods often include weapons, illicit drugs and fuel all of which threaten the health and safety of citizens and the economy. Fuel smuggling, in particular, occurs mainly at Guyana’s porous borders. Last October, a vessel by the trade name of Plum Rose was detained with 80,000 liters of liquid, which was later tested and confirmed to be diesel fuel. Just recently, the GRA in a shared exercise with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard detained six vessels carrying in excess of 600,000 liters of fuel. Over the years, GRA has been going after fuel smugglers. The Commissioner General has been in opposition for a change in the domestic laws, which he believes is supporting rather than curtailing the problem of fuel smuggling. Commissioner General Statia stressed that, “fuel smuggling has always been a problem for the GRA and will continue to be a problem for the GRA,” until they get rid of exemptions and systems need to be put in place. The persons who are getting exemptions from fuel would receive tax credits. They would have to prove that they have utilised the fuel in their operations and then they would receive a tax credit. But fuel exemptions are always open and it is more so open to persons or companies that have imports coming
President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Justice Adrian Saunders, during a post judgment hearing last week lauded the Court of Appeal and High Court for the tremendous work exerted in hearing several cases arising from the December 21, 2018 passage of the NoConfidence motion in the National Assembly. During the post trial hearing last week Monday, Justice Saunders said that the local courts have to be congratulated for the speed at which these matters reached the CCJ. He added, “We (the CCJ) did our best to do it as quickly as we could.” The CCJ, itself, had ordered that the matters be treated and regarded as urgent. In a well reasoned judgment delivered in the cases on June 18, last, the CCJ said, “It is to the tremendous credit of Guyana’s justice system that the consolidated cases were heard expeditiously, and a full and well-reasoned judgment was delivered on 31 January 2019 by Chief Justice Roxane George.” Lawyers involved in these matters were guided by strict timelines set out by the judges. Further, lawyers were ordered to file written submissions and were allowed to elaborate on certain points orally in court. Opposition lawyer, Anil Nandlall, had penned a letter to Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards requesting the matters to be heard and determined with every convenient speed. In his letter dated February 8, Nandlall pointed out that the matters involve matters of national importance, which touched on the constitutional and democratic architecture of Guyana. Nandlall said, “It is therefore of significant public importance that these Notices of Appeal are heard and determined with every convenient speed…In the circumstances, we respectfully request that a date be urgently fixed for a case management conference to be held so that the appropriate directions can be given in order to facilitate an early hearing and determination of the Notices of Appeal.” Local and international
organisations had been calling for a speedy resolution to these matters. Following a declaration by Speaker of the National Assembly Barton Scotland that the NoConfidence motion was properly carried, government had accepted that it was defeated and its willingness to comply with the Constitution. TUESDAY SEVERAL POLICE TOP BRASS POLYGRAPHED Several top officers of the Guyana Police Force have been polygraphed. The results are likely to be discussed at the Government’s National Security Committee. A number of government and police officials confirmed that polygraph tests were conducted recently. The tests were ordered on a number of senior police officials who are in sensitive positions. Kaieteur News was also told Monday, that not all police top brass were given the tests which were conducted by foreign experts. However, three persons who took the tests were identified as Crime Chief, Lyndon Alves, Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams, and head of the police Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Sydney James. Other SOCU officials and a number of deputy commissioners were among those who were asked to take the tests. While the details of the tests are not out yet, it would be viewed with lots of
interest. The police force is currently under scrutiny at the moment with Alves on administrative leave pending an internal probe of corruption. With regards to the tests, they are by no means cheap. Equipment has to be brought in and questions tailored for the specific situation. Reportedly, the government has been liaising with the US Embassy for the polygraph tests. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Government have been moving to have the tests done as part of the vetting process for being in the force. Polygraphs have been used at the Guyana Energy Agency and other state entities to vet staffers who are performing duties in sensitive positions. The report of the tests will now be submitted to the NSC. The police force, and government by extension, is under pressure for an independent probe after a series of allegations by whistle-blowing cops which pointed to criminal activities in the force. The allegations came from ranks in Berbice who claimed that colleagues were working closely with criminals. CLICO (GUYANA) INDEBTEDNESS LIQUIDATOR MOVES TO BLOCK TRANSFER OF OVER $2BILLION TO T&T COMPANIES Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobin Ganga, in his capacity as Liquidator of CLICO Life and General Insurance Company (South
America) Limited (CLICO), has moved to the Court of Appeal to block the transfer of over US$13M to three Trinidad and Tobago companies, namely CL Financial Limited, First Citizen Bank and CLICO Investment Bank Limited (CIB). The order to transfer was made on June 26, last, by High Court Judge Navindra Singh. The US$13M (approximately GYD$2.795 billion) is currently being held by the Registrar of Deeds pursuant to an Order of Court made in 2009. Justice Singh also ordered that CLICO pay costs of GYD$1 M to each of the companies. CL Financial Limited is the parent company of CIB and CLICO. CL Financial Limited was the largest privately owned conglomerate in Trinidad and Tobago and one of the largest privately held corporations in the entire Caribbean, before the company encountered a major liquidity crisis and subsequent bailout in 2009, says Wikipedia. As it is, CL Financial Limited owes CLICO (South America) US$34M pursuant to a court order handed down by Justice Gino Persaud last February. According to court documents seen by Kaieteur News, the over $US13M was due under certain debentures. The order was made by then Chief Justice Ian Chang. It was to be held by the Registrar of Deeds in an escrow account after CLICO laid claim to the monies following the collapse of CL Financial Limited and resulting crisis. On June 25 during the evidence of CLICO, and before its completion Justice Navindra Singh struck out the
Writ and Statement of Claim of CLICO, laying claim to the aforementioned sum. Added to this, Justice Singh discharged the injunction Order under which the money is being held by the Registrar of Deeds. Senior Counsel Ashton Chase and Attorney-at-Law Pauline Chase are representing CLICO, through the Governor who is its Liquidator, and is now asking the Court of Appeal to grant a Stay of Justice Singh’s order pending the hearing and determination of the appeal. DRIVERARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING DIES IN POLICE LOCKUPS The sudden death of a 39year-old taxi driver, who died in the Suddie Police Station lockup last Sunday night, has raised quite a number of questions amongst the residents of the Marias Lodge community. Based on reports reaching this publication, the now dead man has been identified as Lallbachan Bachan, from lot 21 Marias Lodge, Essequibo Coast. This publication understands that Bachan was taken into police custody last Friday, after two arrest warrants were served on him for driving under the influence of alcohol. The man’s lifeless body was discovered in the Suddie Police Station lockups about 06:10h Monday. It was certified dead on arrival at the Suddie Public Hospital. This publication understands that there appears to be two conflicting reports given by close family members of the deceased, and (Continued on page 37)
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From page 36 police. According to police, the body bore no marks of violence. It is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post mortem. Family members are claiming, however, that there were marks of violence on the body of the deceased. Family members claim that they had no contact with Bachan since the day of his arrest, apart from Sunday. His mother, Maharanie Bachan noted that her son cried out from the lockups last Friday, that he was feeling unwell, but by last Sunday he was fine. “When we go to take he food we never get to see he. The police only come and they collect the food and they take it to him. We don’t get to see he.” His mother went on to say, “The only time we get to see he was Sunday, and only for five minutes because he said he had to come out the cell so they could clean the toilet…During that time everything de alright with he.” After being reported dead, family members visited the Suddie mortuary, where they reportedly observed Bachan’s lifeless body. According to the dead man’s sister, there appeared to have been a bump on Bachan’s forehead. WEDNESDAY $700M PORT KAITUMA HOSPITALATTRACTS BIDS UP TO $319M FOR COMPLETION – ENGINEER ESTIMATES $349M MORE REQUIRED At the National Procurement and Administration Board (NPTAB) Tuesday, the Port Kaituma Hospital, already tagged at some $700M, further attracted bids up to $319M for completion works of the medical institution. This hospital project commenced some five years ago and is yet to be completed. This phase will push the cost to over one billion dollars. This publication on June 27 reported that an official attached to the Ministry of Public Health had indicated that due to a variety of “issues”, an additional $150M was to be to be allocated to the project. However, at the bid opening Tuesday, it was established that all bids were well in excess of that figure, and the Engineer’s Estimate was a whopping $349.1M. Meanwhile, other notable projects were the Construction of a Mortuary in New Amsterdam and the conduction of a Multi-Client Seismic 2D and 3D Survey on Offshore Guyana.
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CJIA BOARD HIRES EXPERTS TO TACKLE SEXUAL HARASSMENT …BUT REMAINS SILENT ON WITHDRAWAL OF ALLEGED VICTIM’S SECURITY PASS The management of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has started an internal review of its protocols on how it should handle cases of sexual harassment. However, the airport has continued to remain silent on how it has allowed a senior manager accused of sexual assault, to return to work, while his accuser remains off the job after her security pass was withdrawn and she was unceremoniously escorted off the premises. The issue has raised awareness on the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, with Red Thread staging a protest. Tuesday, according to CJIA, the interventions designed to tackle the issue of sexual harassment and assault at the airport commenced last Friday (June 28) in keeping with the commitment made by the board of directors. “At its meeting on Friday, June 21, 2019, the board took steps to immediately tackle the workplace culture, to ensure that the CJIA, as a workplace, is safe for all, especially women and other vulnerable social groups. The decision came in the wake of public allegations of sexual misconduct at the airport,” the airport explained. On Friday, the management team of the CJIA said it participated in the first consultation session with the two consultants contracted to review all policies, protocols, regulations, and practices that govern conduct and engagements in the workplace, and to conduct workshops with the employees. Among the participants was Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir.
The accusations are leveled against two high-level officials of the airport. The CJIA board said it has retained the services of Social Work Educator and Behavior Change Consultant, Paulette Henry and Human Resource Management Specialist, Donna Tucker. STATE AUDITORS CONTINUE PROBE OF EXERCISE BOOK PROCUREMENT BY GNPL – SEPARATE VERIFICATION PROCESS ONGOING COUNTRYWIDE FOR TEXTBOOKS State auditors are continuing their probe of the ordering of exercise books for public schools. The probe is now, Kaieteur News has learnt, in addition to a wider one involving textbooks. Giving an update Tuesday, Auditor General Deodat Sharma disclosed that the probe of the exercise books, which involves the Guyana National Printers Limited, the Book Distribution and the Ministry of Education, is not yet over. The official was not willing to say when. However, he confirmed that his auditors are also working countrywide to conduct a special performance audit on distribution of textbooks. The one with the textbooks is to determine what has been delivered to schools in the outlying areas. As part of the focus, the audits will also seek to determine whether the textbooks being ordered by the government from local and overseas printers, are relevant to the curriculum. This would be important as over time, there have been growing complaints by parents of students receiving books not needed for the subjects. Parents are forced to fork out thousands of dollars to buy the ones that are needed. The Audit Office, less
than three months ago, descended on the La Penitence operations of the state-owned GNPL. They also have been carrying out work at the Book Distribution Unit of the Ministry of Education. This was after news reports from local printers who said they were sidelined by the GNPL, which had the contracts with exercise books for the Ministry of Education, and was placing orders to a Trinidad company. The local printers claimed that the prices paid by the GNPL were above what they could produce the exercise books for. In any case, the printers were also unhappy that the printing of the books were not in keeping with proper procurement standards. THURSDAY ROYALTY WILL BE HIGHER IN FUTURE CONTRACTS –ENERGY DEPT. HEAD CONSULTANTS STRESS THE NEED TO REVISE LOPSIDED PROVISIONS On the sidelines of a Guyana Oil and Gas Economic Summit being held in London, Head of Guyana’s Energy Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe, told Reuters Wednesday that
royalties for future contracts would be higher than the one to two percent that prevails in existing agreements. But some industry analysts say that while this is a good sign, they remind that there are several other fiscal terms which have to be revised for in Guyana’s model Production Sharing Agreement ( PSA) as well as existing deals. University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro, told this newspaper that it is always a good sign when Governments are continuously examining and trying to refine fiscal terms and Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) for the future. Mitro said that royalty tends to be a relatively “easy to understand concept” and a “headline” issue. The Petroleum Consultant said, “But I also think it can be good to examine other aspects of the arrangements with the companies such as production splits, taxes, decommissioning, and work obligations.” Mitro said that another important aspect to consider is how to incorporate future price and reserve uncertainties into the standard agreements. In many countries, the
University Instructor who has over 32 years’ experience in the industry, said that royalty and production split are determined by a sliding scale which will vary with either the level of production or the rate of return earned by the investor. In this way, he highlighted that the agreements can cover a wider variety of future conditions that may be encountered without having to consider renegotiating. Mitro noted that Dr. Bynoe’s statements imply that he and his team would not be looking at existing agreements. If that were to happen, the official said it would normally have to follow a different, more consultative process. Also sharing his invited opinion on this subject was former Advisor to the President, Dr. Jan Mangal. The Consultant stated that Dr. Bynoe’s focus on future contracts is a red herring. Dr. Mangal said, “Although we need future contracts to be more favourable, that is not going to solve the problem. All of the oil might very well end up being in the Stabroek block or in the adjacent Kaieteur and Canje blocks… “We (Continued on page 45)
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From page 37 need better royalty for the Stabroek Block and we need to rescind the Kaieteur and Canje blocks that were granted under suspicious circumstances.” The Oil Consultant added that what Dr. Bynoe is doing is disingenuous; it does not address the real issue of getting more value for Guyana. TWO PUBLIC SCHOOL PUPILS TOP NGSA 2019 Two public school pupils have emerged as the top performers of this year’s National Grade Six Assessment, NGSA examinations. Dave Chowtie, of Graham’s Hall Primary, East Coast Demerara; and Venisha Lall of C.V Nunes Primary School, Region Two, both scored 532 marks. They outperformed 14,300 pupils who wrote the exams, last April. Both students secured a place at the nation’s premier secondary i n s t i t u t i o n — Q u e e n ’s College, Participants of NGSA 2019 were tested in four subject areas–Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies. The areas tested on each subject were for Mathematics – knowledge, algorithmic thinking, reasoning; Science – knowledge, comprehension, application; Social Studies –knowledge conceptual understanding, use of knowledge and English language –reading, comprehension, vocabulary structure mechanics, content language and organization. In addition to the coveted top spot, a number of pupils tied with high scores in the top ten positions. The other top performers were Shirish Persaud of Academy of Excellence; Ethan Bianchini of Marian Academy; Shivalli Challi of Mae’s Under 12; Ruth Larson of Academy of Excellence; Sarita Somai of Success Elementary; Ajala Maharaj of Marian Academy; Sarah Johnson of Academy of Excellence; Jaaya Shiwraj of Academy of Excellence; Aditya Sharma of Academy of Excellence; Maaseiah Salikram of Success Elementary; Umashankar Singh of Novar Primary; Devine Amsterdam of New Guyana School; Marlene Crandon of Josel Educational Institute; Akaia Griffith of Success Elementary; Narindra Singh of Marian Academy; Janae Boucher of Genesis Early Childhood; Aryan Sugrim of Academy of Excellence; Stafani Rafeek of Success Elementary; Athalaiah Joe of Academy of Excellence; Raphael Shaw
Mae’s Under 12 and Yuvraj Tulara of Academy of Excellence. Kaieteur News caught up with a few of the pupils who shared their thoughts and ambitions as this year‘s top performers. FRIDAY MONEY-CHANGER, DAUGHTER SHOT DEAD IN BRAZEN DAYLIGHT ATTACK – KILLERS FLEE WITH SACK OF MONEY Two bandits fatally shot a moneychanger and his teenage daughter shortly after 15:00 hrs Thursday at their Lot 58 Robert Street, North Better Hope, East Coast Demerara premises, before escaping in a car with a bag filled with cash. Aaron Latchman, 47, was shot thrice in the chest during a scuffle with the bandits, who cornered him just as he had arrived home in his car. His body was found near the front gate. His 18-year-old daughter, Arianna, was shot twice in the chest, and residents and an
in-law found the mortally wounded teen in the family’s kitchen. The killers, who took a substantial sum of cash, reportedly escaped in a white Toyota Carina AT 212. Divisional Commander Calvin Brutus disclosed that police arrested a female resident who had picked up some of the cash that had fallen while the killers were fleeing. The attack appeared to have been well planned, and the bandits appeared to have been familiar with the moneychanger’s routine. A brother-in-law said that Latchman would arrive home every day at around 16.00 hrs, after transacting business in America Street. He would then unlock his gate, drive in, and his daughter, a part-time University of Guyana student, would open the back door for him. That is reportedly the only entrance to the house. Reports also suggest that the killers were waiting near the Latchmans’ home. According to reports, Latchman arrived home at around 15:15 hrs and was attempting to park his car in his
yard when the gunmen struck. According to sources, one of the gunmen entered the house and shot Latchman’s daughter. The other, meanwhile, then attacked Latchman, and the two men scuffled, with the gunman’s firearm ending up in a neighbour’s yard. The gunman who had shot Latchman’s daughter then exited the house and came to his accomplice’s aid, shooting Latchman as well. A brother-in law, who lives a few houses away, said that he was heading home when he heard gunshots coming from the direction of the Latchmans’ home. On arriving at the scene, he saw the moneychanger lying on the ground near the front gate. He was motionless and was bleeding from the mouth. According to the man, the gate was padlocked and he had to scale the fence. CABINET MEETINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THERE IS CLARITY – HARMON – GOVT. IGNORING CCJ RULING – JAGDEO The Government and
Opposition are heading on a collision course on the continued holding of Cabinet meetings. These meetings are where ministers and President David Granger gather weekly to discuss government business. Cabinet makes key national decisions and “notes” awards of contracts. After the December 21, 2018 no-confidence vote, which saw the government fall, and the subsequent High Court ruling, which upheld that the motion was carried, the Coalition Government had announced there would be no Cabinet meetings; rather, the ministers and president would meet in what was known as plenary sessions. After the Court of Appeal ruled the vote was not carried, Cabinet meetings resumed. Recently, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled that the vote was legally carried, which meant that Guyana has to start preparing for early elections with the government standing resigned. HoweverThursday, both the Government and the Opposition remain divided on
the matter of what happens to the Cabinet in the interim. According to DirectorGeneral of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, the Cabinet will continue to meet until the CCJ offers clarity on July 12. At a post-Cabinet press briefing, Harmon explained that there was nothing in the CCJ’s ruling that stated the Cabinet should not meet. However, the government, in a written submission on Monday last, asked the Trinidad-based court to provide clarity on whether Cabinet should be meeting. “So, we will await the clarification from the CCJ on that matter,” Harmon noted. He pointed to the Constitution of Guyana, which speaks to the president and government remaining in office. “It is our duty as a government to govern, and therefore, every day that we are in government, we have to execute the mandate of governing and ensuring that the people’s business is taken care of.” Harmon reiterated (Continued on page 46)
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From page 45 that the government will continue to perform its functions until full clarity is provided. NO TURNING BACK However, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, was highly critical of the situation. During a press conference at his Church Street office, he said that what is clear is that the CCJ did not rewrite the Constitution of Guyana. “The CCJ interpreted the Constitution of Guyana. So the Constitution of Guyana says that, upon the passage of a no confidence motion, the Cabinet including the President, shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of Confidence.” Jagdeo said that the question therefore begs if the no-confidence vote was valid. “The answer is yes. The CCJ has ruled on that. No turning back. There is no court to which this can be appealed. The CCJ said the no confidence motion was validly passed. So, it’s as clear as they like. You don’t need to interpret that. A child in Guyana could take the Constitution or you could explain this to a child, and the child would understand that … except this corrupt cabal.” SELECTION OF NEW GECOM CHAIRMAN… GOVT., OPPOSITION AGREE ON RESENTATION OF NEW LIST WITHIN DAYS There appears to be significant headway in talks between the Government and the Opposition over the selection of a new chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The process is critical, as Guyana prepares for early general elections following an Opposition no-confidence motion tabled December 21st 2018 that was carried, and which sparked months of standoffs and court cases that tested the country’s Constitution to the limits. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) recently ruled that the process to select Justice (ret’d) James Patterson, the last chairman of GECOM was flawed. He resigned last week in keeping with the CCJ ruling, triggering a process to search for a new chairman. Thursday, President David Granger and his team met Bharrat Jagdeo, the Opposition Leader, who led a team for a critical meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency. At the centre of the talks is the process that will be used to choose a new chairman. A new list will be presented within days to the president with representatives from both sides to “hammer out” the names of the nominees, it was disclosed. It was agreed that the Government will be able to make submissions of names to the list, a critical talking point that observers say will reduce any delays. Accompanying the President to the meeting were Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairs, Basil Williams; Minister of Social Protection,AmnaAlly; Minister of State, Dawn HastingsWilliams; Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence; Minister of Natural
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Resources, Raphael Trotman and Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon. Jagdeo’s team included Anil Nandlall, Irfaan Ali, Bishop Juan Edghill and Gail Teixeira. According to the president, in a press conference after, in accordance with the judgment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), and given the need to ensure that the GECOM is allowed to function in an uninterrupted manner, Jagdeo was invited to meet with him Thursday. Granger explained that there were a number of issues, but the main one was to seek agreement on the means to be adopted on the selection of a new chairman. The hour-long discussions focused on the means, not the nomination, for selecting a GECOM chairman. SATURDAY THE STABROEK BLOCK… HESS BOSS SEES MULTIBILLION BARRELS OF FUTURE EXPLORATION POTENTIAL Even though the appraisal for several discoveries on the Stabroek Block indicate that there are over 5.5B barrels of oil equivalent reserves, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation, John Hess, says that his firm is excited about future prospects for the block. In this regard, he said that Hess continues to see multibillion barrels of future exploration potential remaining on the block. The CEO made this known at the Bernstein 35th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference that was held in New York. Hess said the firm which holds a 30 percent interest in the Stabroek block also sees potential for not just three, but five Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels to produce greater than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025. The CEO told investors who were present at the event that Hess’s cash flow and Cash Return on Capital Employed (CROCE), are expected to grow more than 250 percent through 2025. The official said that this makes
Hess well positioned to return capital to its shareholders. He said, “In summary, we are incredibly well positioned to deliver increasing and strong financial returns, visible and low risk production growth and significant future free cash flow. Very few oil and gas companies can deliver all three and we can.” Furthermore, Hess Corporation’s 2019 Exploration and Production budget will see it expending over US$500M in the Stabroek block. According to Greg Hill, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Hess, 2019 will be the peak spend year for the Liza phase one development, which is on track for first oil by early 2020. He noted, as well, that Hess is poised to begin the Liza phase two development spending, complete the plan of development for Payara, and advance front end engineering and design work for future development phases. This newspaper understands that Hess has put aside US$260 million for costs associated with the Liza Phase One development offshore Guyana while its US$310 million budget includes spending for Liza Phase 2 development, the plan of development for Payara, and frontend engineering and design work. The sum of US$440 million is also planned for drill exploration and appraisal wells on the Stabroek Block. Funds are also included for seismic acquisition and processing in Guyana, Suriname and the deep water Gulf of Mexico, and for other license acquisitions. SOCU HEAD SENT ON LEAVE Head of the police Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Assistant Commissioner Sydney James, has been suspended. According to well-placed sources, James reportedly received a letter directing him to proceed on administrative leave. The decision, not totally unexpected, was based on a special police audit on the finance of SOCU, recently. The audit had reportedly found some unaccounted expenditure which could not be verified by a
paper trail. SOCU has been rocked in recent months by a number of incidents. The unit is the special police one that probes corruption and money laundering. Since 2015, since the new Government took office, SOCU has been handed increased powers to investigate the findings of several forensic audit reports of state agencies. A number of Government officials under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) were charged as a result of SOCU’s investigations of those audits. The British government has been assisting SOCU by placing an expert, Dr. Sam Sittlington, as an advisor. However, Sittlington had his services terminated by the British government after it was discovered he had opened a private investigating company. Another senior official, Sheronie James, also departed SOCU after questions arose about her qualifications. This latest news would raise concerns about the numerous court cases and investigations at SOCU. GOVT, OPPOSITION CLASH OVER HOUSE-TO-HOUSE REGISTRATIONS… RAIN DOES NOT HALT PPP PROTESTS FOR EARLY ELECTIONS Clean Voters’ List will return coalition to power–PNCR The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the biggest partner in the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), is adamant that for there to be credible elections there must be house-to-house registration. However, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) insisted Friday that elections have to be held within three months as mandated by laws and any adjustments to the voters list can be fixed by a claims and objections period. PNCR officials stressed that it was under the Bharrat Jagdeo presidency that the National Registration Act was amended by the “National Registration (Amendment) Act 2007” to ensure house-to-house registration.
According to PNCR, it establishes clearly that for elections to be credible in Guyana, there is need for house-tohouse registration. “The PNCR is adamant that for there to be credible elections there must be credible house-to-house registration. There are facts about the current voters’ list that cannot be disputed. It is true that the names of dead people are on the list. It is true that the names of missing or non-existent people are on the list. It is true that the list does not have the names of thousands of young people who recently became 18.” The PPP said it is maintaining that the Constitution of Guyana must be respected and elections must be held within the three-month timeframe stipulated by Article 106 (7) of the Constitution. “The APNU+AFC Coalition Government must stop engaging in delay tactics and call elections now.” Meanwhile, the Opposition also protested outside the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday. Scores of protesters led by PPP presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, and former Prime Minister, Sam Hinds, called for early elections and for the Government to observe the Constitution. Speaking to the supporters at the Leader of the Opposition office on Church Street, Ali noted that the PPP is an all-weather party, rain or sun, always ready to protect democracy and uphold the Constitutions of Guyana. According to Jagdeo who stood alongside Ali, the Coalition Government became illegal on March 21. He said that the only way after the court rulings to change the situation is through elections. He said that the Granger government behaves as though everything is normal and that they are not subjected to the Constitution rule and even the rulings of the CCJ. Jagdeo said that the house-tohouse registration at this time is a delaying tactic. He said that the turnout Friday should send a strong signal to the CCJ. Jagdeo, the PPP General Secretary, urged supporters to keep pressuring the government to respect law and order. He said that many APNU supporters can’t wait for elections to vote for the PPP as they are fed-up with failed promises.
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Sunday July 07, 2019 g tin ... s e er res Int eatu Cr
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Milk Snake [Lampropeltis triangulum]
L
ampropeltis triangulum, commonly known as a milk snake or milksnake, is a species of kingsnake; 24 subspecies are currently recognized. Lampropeltis elapsoides, the scarlet kingsnake, was formerly classified as the subspecies L. t. elapsoides, but is now recognized as a distinct species. The subspecies have strikingly different appearances, and many of them have their own common names. Some authorities suggest that this species could be split into several separate species. They are not venomous or otherwise dangerous to humans. They are distributed from southeastern Canada through most of the continental United States to Central America, south to western Ecuador and northern Venezuela in northern South America. Milk snakes commonly exceed 60 cm (24 in) in total length (including tail), with very large specimens known to reach total lengths of 120 to 132 cm (47 to 52 in). They appear to one of the smaller species of the kingsnake genus, as adults in the wild apparently average from 38 to 225 g (1.3 to 7.9 oz) in North America and most typically do not exceed a total length of 90 cm (35 in). However, unusually large milk snakes can become rather bulkier than average-sized adults and potentially weigh up to 750 to 1,400 g (1.65 to 3.09
lb), though high weights as such are generally reported from captivity. Males typically are larger than f e m a l e s i n m a t u r i t y, although females can be bulkier than males similar in length, as well. Generally more tropical populations, from Mexico and further south, reach larger adult sizes than milk snakes living in the temperate zones. They have smooth and shiny scales and their typical color pattern is alternating bands of red-black-yellow or white-black-red. However, red blotches instead of bands are seen in some populations. Some milk snakes have a striking resemblance to coral snakes, in Batesian mimicry, which likely scares away potential predators. Both milk snakes and coral snakes possess transverse bands of red, black, and yellow. Experts now recognize that common mnemonics that people use to distinguish between the deadly coral snake and the harmless milk snake are not 100 percent reliable. Some coral snakes do not have the typical banding colours or patterns. Examples of unreliable mnemonics commonly used: “Red on yellow kills a fellow. Red on black venom lack” or “Red touches black, it’s a friend of Jack. Red touches yellow, it’s bad for a fellow.” Due to the many colours of the eastern milk snake (L. t. triangulum), it can resemble
the coral snake, corn snake, fox snake, scarlet snake, and m o s t i m p o r t a n t l y, t h e venomous snake genera Agkistrodon and Sistrurus. Milk, fox, and scarlet snakes are killed because of a resemblance to the venomous pygmy rattlers. Juvenile milk snakes, which are more reddish than adults, are often killed because they are mistaken for copperheads. Enough distinction exists among the five to make the eastern milk snake fairly easy to identify. The eastern milk snakes also have a light-colored, Vshaped or Y-shaped patch on their necks. One subspecies is melanistic (almost all black). Across the wide range of this species, habitat varies. Typically, milk snakes live in forested regions; however, in some regions, they can be located in open prairies. In various parts across their distribution, milk snakes often live on rocky slopes. Milk snake activity is mostly nocturnal. They are primarily terrestrial and attempt to blend in with ground litter. Young milk snakes typically eat slugs, insects, crickets, and earthworms. Adult diet frequently includes lizards (especially skinks), and small mammals. Juveniles in the western United States generally feed on small lizards. They are also known to eat birds and their eggs, frogs, fish, and
other snakes. Milk snakes are much more opportunistic eaters than the fox snake or corn snake. They have been known to consume a variety of animals, including rodents, eggs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Nevertheless, the diet of an adult milk snake still primarily consists of rodents. They are nocturnal eaters and are often found during the day in old barns and under wood. An early myth about milk snakes is that they suck cow udders to get the milk. The myth is entirely false, and is discredited by the fact that the
milk snake does not have the physical capabilities to suck milk out of a cow. Milk snakes are, however, frequently found in and around barns, making use of their cool and dark environments, and for the easily accessed populations of rodents to feed on. This proximity to barns, and therefore cows, probably gave rise to the myth. Milk snakes are oviparous, laying an average of about 10 eggs per clutch, although that number may vary by region. The milk snake mates from early May to late June. In June and July, the female lays three to 24
eggs beneath logs, boards, rocks, and rotting vegetation. The eggs incubate for about two months, and hatch around August or September. Milk snakes typically live around 12 years, or up to 21 years in captivity. The milk snake is listed as of least concern by the IUCN (a wildlife conservation union), but in some areas, they may face significant pressure due to pet-trade collection. Because of this species’ attractiveness in the pet trade, many subspecies are now being bred in captivity for sale.
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Young photographer’s pursuit of happiness and Independence helps him break barriers What do you get when you merge talent and passion? The fuel that burn the flames of success! And while we’ve heard the story time and time again, it never grows old. In fact, it continues to serve as motivation to many.
This is the story of Noel Khan, a young man who is on a journey to make a name for himself and be amongst the best in his field as a Guyanese photographer and videographer. Now 20, Khan has only been serious behind
the lens for the past two years and is already making waves in Berbice as he climbs the professional ladder to success. He tells his story of leaving school early, and trying his hands at many things.
“Jack of many trades, now a master of one,” he said as he burst into laughter when he sat down with this news outfit. Even with committed desire to fend for himself; nothing was permanent and there was no passion, drive or sat-
isfaction from what he was doing. After being out of a job for almost two years, he tells us about being motivated by his sister Tracey Khan who has been in the local media for over 15 years. His sister saw the frustration in his eyes and with her background being media, decided it was time for him to create his own opportunities and charter a different course. Like other success stories, it is not attained overnight and without peculiar challenges. The frustrations that come with unemployment started to get him down and he became depressed and would many days sit at home despondent and sad. So, she encouraged him to learn videography and photography. He started working on human interest features with her for Capitol News and fortunately, he found much happiness from capturing and preserving the precious moments of others and so he decided to make this a profession which has given him much independence and an unlimited amount of creative freedom. Noel who is from Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice has seen how many young men his age and younger have caved to the pressures of living a dishonest life and vowed to never take that path and has instead, created his own destiny as a young and humble photographer. Now he is the owner of a small business that caters for any event that would need a videographer or photographer and through his profession he has been able to find fulfillment and happiness. When he first started, he would sometimes borrow the camera of Andy Henry another photographer who he describes as his mentor. After about a month , he started purchasing his own equipment and with help of his family, he is on the rise in the ancient country. He also works as a cameraman/ videographer for News-inDepth/Royston Drakes Pro-
Talented Photographer, Noel Khan duction in Berbice and is loving the field of news which has helped him to meet countless people from all walks of life. “The thing that I love about photography is that you get to travel and meet new and awesome and if it wasn’t for this I’m not sure what I would be doing because I love what I do…photography has given me a lot of independence,” Khan explained. He is also now in charge of photography at News-inDepth that has its office in Rose Hall Town and he is able to conduct studio shoots as well. Noel is looking to expand his business and continues to learn and evolve in this field. His advice to youths is to stay focus and true to themselves and understand that hard times don’t last and better is on the horizon once they are willing to work hard and make the sacrifices necessary to get to their goal. Noel and one of his older brother Samuel Khan have since teamed up and are working to leave a major impact in their field in not just Berbice but Guyana and expand their operations. You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Y o u t u b e @capturedmomentsgy or call 696-3750/337-4422 to book him for any event.
Relevant today as it was 46 ... (From page 39) to the NIS and reduction of the pensionable age from 65 to 60 years; the release of a Labour Advisory Reports; workers education; guaranteed annual income for sugar workers through an unemployment benefit scheme; increase in their pensions; delegating some responsibility to the TUC for determining inter-union and recognition disputes; cooperative insurance; position on working hours as established in the Irvine Report; exemption of tax from severance pay, unemployment benefit and similar payments, and the release and use of the Consumer Price Index as a base for setting the minimum wage and in wages/salary negotiation.The TUC remains constant to the stated principles, laid out 46 years ago. Same informed our continuing agitation. We believe our National Interest is best served through a system of governance that forges peace and harmony, ensure equitable development, and safeguard the rights and freedoms of all. Those demands above that were achieved they are testimony to this fundamental fact. Those above demands that were achieved have played a role in the system of Governance of we pursue.
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The Health Benefits of Bitter Melon
This is one vegetable we all dread eating! Thanks to its unbearable bitter taste, bitter gourd is infamous for spoiling palettes. But, science has a different story to tell. This vegetable is one of the healthiest foods you can have.This fruit (yes, it is a fruit!) has high amounts of vitamin A, C, E, and B, potassium, zinc, and other micronutrients. Drinking its juice can almost reverse diabetes. Discover more such interesting facts about bitter melon in this article. 1. Controls Diabetes Abundant pre-clinical studies prove the antidiabetic property of bitter gourd. It exerts a hypoglycemic effect by controlling glucose metabolism. It inhibits glucose uptake in the intestines and boosts its use in the muscles. The extracts of bitter gourd protect the pancreatic cells from pro-inflammatory cells and compounds. The fruit pulp, seeds, and whole plant extracts of bitter gourd are documented to have a hypoglycemic (insulinlike) effect. The saponins, alkaloids, and polyphenols present in bitter gourd are responsible for increased insulin tolerance and glucose uptake. 2. Aids Weight Loss Along with glucose metabolism, bitter melon works on lipid metabolism as well. Studies have proven that it can reduce fat accumulation, thus exerting an anti-obesity effect. Adding bitter gourd to the diet reduced the effect of high-fat food in rats. It was observed that the fruit could prevent weight gain by altering the corresponding gene expression. Another recent study suggests that bitter melon seed oil may deplete the fat reserves in your body by selectively killing adipocytes (fat storage cells). This is because it contains active molecules like triterpenoid glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, and fatty acids that prevent the inflammation of adipose tissue, which is often linked to metabolic disorder. 3. Promotes Liver Health Pre-clinical trials on rats demonstrate the hepatoprotective (liverfriendly) properties of bitter gourd. Obesity, diabetes, high-fat diets, and alcohol lead to the development of a fatty liver. Inflammation and free radicals can worsen such liver injuries. Eating bitter melon can control oxidative damage as it can block the fat accumulation and lipid peroxidation mechanism. This slows down inflammation-induced cell death in the liver. It also enhances your
body’s antioxidant system, i.e., in-house enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase. Above all, bitter gourd extracts can stop the liver damage induced by chronic alcohol intake. 4. Relieves Constipation And Hemorrhoids Bitter gourd helps ease bowel movement. It is a proven laxative and digestion stimulant. Patients with hemorrhoids showed signs of improvement when a bitter melon leaf extract was given to them. Bitter gourd also stimulates your gut cells to secrete more digestive juices. That is how it helps digest food quicker and better. Efficient digestion is often followed by smooth bowel movement. By preventing constipation, bitter melons relieve the pressure on the veins inside the hemorrhoids. 5. Treats Skin Conditions This squash family member has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It can treat various skin conditions like eczema, rashes, leprosy, psoriasis, wounds, and sores. The indigenous tribes of Africa and Asia use a paste made from the bitter gourd plant to apply on blisters and injuries topically. Rabbit studies demonstrated the effect of skin creams enriched with bitter melon extracts on wounds. Rabbits that received this cream treatment experienced improved and accelerated wound healing. The peel of this fruit has the maximum potential to prevent skin cancers. Cancer studies found that bitter gourd extracts improved the quality of life and life span of mice. 6. Fights Cancer Almost all parts of the bitter melon plant have anticancer properties. Its extract inhibits cancer cell growth by triggering programmed cell death (apoptosis). Its seed oil has biologically active fatty acids that interfere with the proliferation of breast and liver cancer cell lines. Also, the whole fruit and skin extract of bitter melon show high efficacy in battling colon cancer. Bitter gourd extract was found to be selectively toxic to prostate cancer cells in mouse studies. It also regulates the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins in the affected tissue. It slows down the overall growth and migration of cervical, nose and pharynx, and blood cancers as well. 7. Impedes Helminthic Infections Helminthic infections (diseases caused by parasitic worms) due to cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes affect humans and livestock. Extracts of various parts of bitter gourd showed anthel-
mintic activity against adult earthworms. Recent studies claim that bitter melon phytochemicals are responsible for this activity. Saponins, alkaloids, oligoglycosides, flavonoids,
and tannins are most effective in killing the nematodes (worms). They can paralyze them and disrupt their vascular and nervous system. These phytochemicals
can restrict the migration and survival of young nematode larvae. Having bitter gourd can reduce the worm load in your body and ultimately prevent such helminthic infections
from worsening.https:// www.stylecraze.com/articles/ amazing-benefits-of-bittermelonbitter-gourd/#gref. These benefits force you to overlook the bitter taste of bitter gourd, don’t they?
PIG TROUBLE FOR LITTLE CHINA
By Daniel Henshaw On the Eastern side of Frearson’s farm, close to the huge oak tree, there lived an adorable young piglet named China. As a tiny piglet, China was a joyful little animal, who spent many hours happily playing with a broken acorn that she’d found in her sty. After a while though, China realised that she was very different to the other pigs in her pen. Firstly, the other pigs would eat absolutely anything that Farmer Frearson gave them. Not China. China was very fussy about what she ate, which meant that she wasn’t as fat as the other pigs. This encouraged the other pigs to call China cruel names. “Look at that skinny swine!” they would snort. When China heard this, she cuddled up with her broken acorn and found somewhere to cry where the others couldn’t see her. As well as this, the other pigs loved to roll around in the squelching mud for most of the day. Not China. China preferred to keep her trotters out of the mud, which meant that she wasn’t as filthy as the other pigs. This encouraged the other pigs to call her even more cruel names. “Look at that hygienic hog!” they would grunt. When China heard this, she cuddled up with her broken acorn and found somewhere to cry where the others couldn’t see her.As the name calling continued, China became very miserable. She felt awfully lonely on the Eastern side of Frearson’s farm, close to the huge oak tree. On the Western side of Frearson’s farm, close to the enormous horse-chestnut tree, there lived an odd-looking piglet named Burton. As a tiny piglet, Burton was a joyful little animal, who spent many hours frolicking among the fallen leaves of the horsechestnut tree. After a while though, Burton realised that he was very different to the other pigs in his pen. Firstly, the other pigs could grunt with deep, booming “oinks” from their snouts. Not Burton. No matter how hard he tried, Burton could only manage a tiny “squeak”, which meant that he wasn’t as loud as the other pigs. This encouraged the other pigs to call him cruel names. “Listen to his wimpy
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whine!” they would snort. When Burton heard this, he would hide under a big pile of leaves so that the others couldn’t see him cry. As well as this, the other pigs liked to bathe in the mud all day. Not Burton. Burton found this very boring. He preferred to run around all day, chasing as many leaves as possible, which meant that Burton wasn’t as lazyas the other pigs. This encouraged the other pigs to call him even more cruel names. “Look at that healthy hog!” they would grunt. When Burton heard this, he would hide under a big pile of leaves so that the others couldn’t see him cry.As the name calling continued, Burton became very sad. He felt terribly lonesome on the Western side of Frearson’s farm, close to the enormous horse-chestnut tree. Then, one day, a huge van arrived on the farm. On the side of the van were the words Chris P. Bacon. Farmer Frearson began taking pigs over to the van.“You’re not going to get chosen for the van,” some of the pigs sniggered to China, “you’re too skinny and clean!” China cried a lonely tear and then continued to play with her acorn.“You’re not going to get chosen for the van,” some of the pigs sneered to Burton, “you’re too highpitched and healthy!” Burton cried a lonely tear and then continued to play
with his leaves. Slowly, the other pigs disappeared into the back of the van until there were just two left.“I don’t think anyone would want to eat you pair!” laughed Farmer Frearson. So he put China and Burton in a pen together. China watched Burton chasing a leaf. “He’s not like the other pigs,” China thought to herself, “he looks odd.” Burton watched China playing with her acorn.“She’s not like the other pigs,” Burton thought to himself, “she looks strange.” “Aren’t you going in the mud?” asked Burton.“Oh no,” replied China, “I don’t like to get dirty.”Burton laughed. He thought this was one of the funniest things he’d ever heard. He decided that he liked China so he showed her how to chase after the leaves. China laughed. She thought this was funny so she chased the leaves too. China decided that she liked Burton so she showed him how to choose his food carefully instead of just eating anything. Burton laughed with a squeak and his squeak made China laugh too. Farmer Frearson watched the two pigs in amazement. “Such strange little creatures!” he laughed. He decided to keep the two odd pigs in their own little pen together where… they have been squeaking, laughing, chasing leaves, avoiding mud and eating very carefully ever since.
Junior page
T
Supplies Needed: Tissue Paper Card Stock Contact Paper Glue Scissors
o start off take what color of tissue paper you’d like to use for the firefly, we used yellow with a little bit of green. Next either you or your child can cut the tissue paper in strips and then into smaller squares. Next take your contact paper and lay it sticky side up, it’s easier if you tape down the corners to hold it in place. Then you can have them decorate the contact paper with the tissue paper pieces. When that’s finished take another piece of contact paper and lay it down on top of your contact paper to seal it. Smooth out the contact paper for any bumps and then cut out a teardrop shape for the body of the firefly. You can use whatever color of card stock you’d like but we went with black. Cut out the shapes below for the head and wings of your bug.Finally you’ll glue the head onto your tissue paper collage you cut out, then glue on the wings to finish your suncatcher. Add some tape and hang them on your window!
DINO MAZE FINISH
FUN WITH POETRY
Early to Bed We all know of what they say: Early to bed, early to rise”, But many children usually get up late, And do not heed this wise advice. Rising after the sun is up Is not good for your eyes and body; The bright light and heat that you meet Can make you suffer terribly. But when you get up in the early morning, The air is so fresh and sweet, Your whole body feels so great, And your mind is clear and neat. So try this out and you will find Your life become so much better; You will be able to do so much more, And everything will become much easier (BY UNCLE ROY)
Start
Kaieteur News
Sunday July 07, 2019
Use some of your holiday time to improve yourself in various ways 1. Plan a wholesome diet and stick to it. When you eat the right foods, which include all the ingredients in a balanced way, then your body will be properly nourished with all it requires to grow and perform most efficiently. Teenagers tend to avoid vegetables and prefer fast foods, which can do much harm. In the hustle of school life, we sometimes have to go for the latter. Try to change your eating habits for the better and your brain and other organs will benefit tremendously. 2. Explore your inner dreams and work towards fulfilling them. Each of us has been equipped with special talents and the desire to fulfil these in what you really intend to achieve in life. When you pursue these
in a passionate and earnest manner, the people around you will be more willing to help you in your ambitions. Do not drift along as many are apt to do, but use your
in order. Here again you must realise that during the school terms you many times do not have the time to keep your things and your surroundings in the best
time and special skills to work towards your personal goals. 3. Take some time to put your stuff and surroundings
order. This can sometimes lead to you even acquiring a bad habit of leaving things in a mess. Take the time now to keep your surroundings
clean and tidy, and you will soon find that the opposite will occur – that you will derive a good habit that will serve you well wherever you are. 4. Take some time to meditate on your life and pray to the Almighty for help and enlightenment. Whether you practice a religion or not, you can do much more and become a much better person with the help of God. Use some of your time every day for prayer and your life will become more peaceful, fulfilled and productive. Please heed and practice these tips and you will benefit so much by the time your holidays come to a close that you will be able to advance more at a faster rate than previously.
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What a wonderful world God gave this world to you and me, It's priceless, yet it's also free; It is beautiful beyond compare, And he has left it in our care. Everything begins anew, Like a rose sparkling with the dew; They blossom in the morning sun, And bloom until the day is done. A little seed becomes a tree, And gives its shade for you and me, Every creature large and small, The Lord above has made them all. The bear, the bee, the kangaroo All share this world with me and you; High above us in the sky, We watch the silver clouds go by. They bring the gentle rain our way, And a rainbow brightens our day; As we watch the setting sun go down, Another perfect day is done. God gave his world to you and me, He lit the stars above; By seeing all the things He made, We know that God is love. When we remember that with God all things are possible, we will continue to seek his help every day in all we do.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK TELL IT TO UNCLE ROY Please always remember that Uncle Roy is always ready and willing to assist with any problems with which you may be faced. Just connect by my email at uncleroy1992@yahoo.com and I will respond promptly.
Solutions to last week’s OCEAN ANIMALS
Futoshiki Puzzles by Krazydad Futoshiki (also known as More or Less or Unequal or Hutosiki) are logic puzzles from Japan. The namemeans inequality.They are similar to Comparison Sudoku puzzles. The objective is to fill the grid with numbers so that each row and column is filled with unique digits. The <and > symbols provide additional clues that show you the relationship between adjacent squares.
Balance quest
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Home remedies for cracked heels 1. Using an emollient or humectant moisturizer Emollients penetrate the skin and reduce water loss. They fill the gaps between skin flakes, which makes the skin feel smooth, soft, and flexible. They help to reduce water loss in the skin. Humectants penetrate the outer skin layer, attract water from the air, and maintain moisture. They also help to increase the water capacity of the skin. In dry conditions, humectants may draw moisture from the lower skin layers instead of from the atmosphere. This may result in more dehydrated skin overall. Combining a humectant with an occlusive may help seal in moisture. If you want to buy humectant moisturizers, then there is an excellent selection online with thousands of customer reviews. 2. Applying an occlusive moisturizer over the top Once the emollient or humectant is absorbed, people can apply a thick layer of an occlusive moisturizer over the top just before bed to seal the moisture in. Occlusive moisturizers coat the skin in a thin film that prevents moisture evaporating from the outermost layer of the skin. Petroleum jelly is considered to be the most effective occlusive moisturizer, reducing water loss from the outer skin by more than 98 percent. Although occlusives work well to lock in moisture, they can be greasy, sticky, and messy. powered by Rubicon Project 3. Wearing 100 percent cotton socks to bed Wearing 100 percent cotton socks to bed after applying petroleum jelly to the heel may help to: keep the moisture in allow the heel skin to breathe prevent the bed sheets from becoming stained The skin on the heels should soften after this routine is repeated for a few days. 100 percent cotton socks are available online. 4. Applying a keratolytic to thickened skin When the heel skin is thick, applying a keratolytic may help thin it, as well as the other treatments. Keratolytics are agents that thin thickened skin, cause the outer skin layer to loosen, and help with removal of dead skin cells. This process allows the skin to keep in more moisture. Products that contain both keratolytics and humectants may be the most useful. For example, urea is both a keratolytic and humectant that moisturizes and removes dry, cracked, and thickened skin. 5. Gently rubbing thickened skin with a pumice stone Gently rubbing a pumice stone against the heel, once the skin is moisturized, may help reduce the thickness of the hard skin and calluses. Pumice stones are available here. Razors and scissors should be avoided for scraping back and cutting skin. People with diabetes or neuropathy should not use pumice stones and should instead visit a dermatologist or podiatrist.
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
Sunday July 07, 2019
Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Sunday July 07, 2019
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Kaieteur News
There were NGSA smiles for Berbice An 11-year-old boy from Cumberland Village, East Canje, Berbice has made his parents profoundly proud after he excelled at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment. Pawan Kumar Etwaroo of Cumberland Primary School gained 520 marks, securing him a spot at one of Guyana’s premier learning institutions, Queen’s College. Tying for the top spot was Chitra Ramdial of Cropper Primary School. She also gained 520 marks. Both Etwaroo and Ramdial were the top performers in Region Six at this year’s examination. Speaking to him and his parents at their humble abode in Canje, he expressed joy over his feat. He added that he was actually shocked when he heard the news because he never expected to do that well. He said that he owed his success to his parents, teachers and the Almighty. “When I heard the news, I felt so happy and proud. The exams were a bit challenging but I knew I could do it.” Young Etwaroo stated
Vikash Nadesan from Cropper Primary -513 marks
that it was his dedication to his studies that played a major role in his success and advised students who will be sitting the 2020 exams to “study hard, focus on the paper and read the questions properly.” The parents of the top student stated that Etwaroo will not be attending Queen’s College but will be looking to attend Berbice High School instead, since it will be more affordable and closer to home. Although Etwaroo turned out successful, the road to his accomplishment was not as easy as he and his parents would have liked it to be. His father, Anand Kumar Etwaroo, 50, who worked as a fuel attendant at the Rose Hall Estate for 30 years, was among the thousands of workers from the sugar industry in Berbice who were sacked and given severance. The former estate worker lost his job over a year ago and has been without one since. Although there was a financial difficulty within the home throughout his son’s Grade Six year, it did not deter them from allowing their son the opportunity to have a good education. According to the wife of the severed worker, Bindomattie Ramdeen, 43, a housewife, “They didn’t take he off on the first set but dem tek he off on the second round and the severance money that he got, we used it to build this small flat house for us. “After that, we just left stranded you know. I was worried that if my son pass to go somewhere far how we will be able to send him because his father not working since dem tek he off. “He apply to a lot of places but he not getting work, we still hoping that he will get a good job”.
Marissa Siriram from Cropper Primary- 514 marks
Jaeden Conway from School of the Nations- 513 marks
Chitra Ramdial from Cropper Primary all smiles with her mom, Reshma- 520 marks Ramdeen explained that they got by on a day to day basis through the support and assistance from close relatives. Her son’s books he needed for studies were difficult to acquire during his Grade Six year but she said they ensured that he got all that was required by the school. Etwaroo’s father told Kaieteur News that while he is out job hunting to provide and keep his family afloat, he is hanging on that the estate will be re-opened again and he will be given back his job. “We will try our best to keep our child in school because we want him to be somebody good in society,” the proud parents said. Their son said that he is motivated and determined to be someone respectable in society for his parents because of the struggles they are currently facing. “I want to do good for them”, he said with a smile. He hopes to one day become a doctor. Meanwhile, a visit to the other schools that dished out students that rounded off this year’s Region Six Top Ten saw many smiling faces from the
Hemesh Bhigroog from Port Mourant Primary School- 513 marks
teachers and the students themselves. Cropper Primary School located in Albion Village on the Corentyne, churned out four students in the Region’s Top Ten. Their top student Chitra Ramdial tied with Pawan Etwaroo for the top spot with 520 marks. The other three students are Gabriella Henry (3rd) with 517 Marks, Marissa Siriram (5th) with 514 marks
Pawan Etwaroo standing with his proud parents- 520 marks and Vikash Nadesan (6th) with 513 marks. Headteacher of the school, Coretta Clark, said she was overjoyed with the results. She lauded the teachers of the school for being “dedicated and for working beyond the call of duty. I am very happy.” Three of the top students’ class teacher, Miss Lisa Denny, who is a first time Grade Six teacher,
congratulated her students for a job well done. Briana Isaacs, from the All Saints Primary School in New Amsterdam gained 516 marks, secured the fifth spot in the top ten. Jaeden Conway of School of the Nations came in sixth with 513 marks. He tied with Vikash Nadesan from Cropper Primary and Hemesh Bhigroog of Port Mourant Primary School.
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Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
UN Refugee office offers Cuban activist protection pending application approval - Cuban Embassy denies his forceful expulsion to Guyana A Cuban national who claimed he was expelled by his own country to Guyana back in May, has been granted protection by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This development comes even as the Cuban Embassy in Guyana has denied any knowledge of Daniel Llorente being forcibly sent to Guyana so he could approach the US Embassy in Kingston, Georgetown for a visa. Llorente is a well-known Cuban activist who openly flaunted his support for the US government, even draping the US flag on his body during public protests. There are numerous online videos on YouTube about him. After being “dumped” here in Guyana, he reportedly applied to the UN for protection claiming that his life was threatened and if he is sent back to Cuba, he would be killed. It appeared that the UN body, based in Washington,
was sufficiently convinced that he has a case. The UN body issued an Asylum Seeker Certificate, which asked Guyana to also assist him. The certificate was issued on May 29, 2019 and expires on May 28, 2020. It said that Daniel Miranda Llorente from Cuba arrived here on May 16, last. “This is to certify that the above-named person, national of Cuba, is an asylum seeker whose claim for refugee status is being examined by the United National High Commissioner for Refugees. “As an asylum seeker, he is a person of concern to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and should be protected from forcible return to a country where he would face persecution, pending a final decision on his refugee status. Any assistance accorded to the above-named individual would be most
appreciated,” the certificate said. Over the weekend, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said that the Cuban Embassy in Georgetown had been asked about the reports in the press. However, the embassy “denied any knowledge” that Llorente was forced out of Cuba to Guyana. The activist had complained to Kaieteur News and US media houses that he was illegally detained, and placed on a plane to Guyana. The Cuban police, Llorente claimed, told him never to return to Cuba or he will be “disappeared”. Minister with responsibilities for Citizenship, Winston Felix, admitted the matter is a perplexing one. “We are looking into the matter. We cannot fathom what is going on, unless we do a detailed interview with the gentleman, and bearing in mind the language problem,
we have to be cautious.” According to Felix, the issue is an international one. Since arriving in May, Llorente met with the local United Nations office and engaged the US embassy to make his case. He is very well known in Cuba where for years his activism has seen him arrested and jailed. There are numerous videos of him being interviewed and photos of him participating in protests. Perhaps, none was more famous than when he used a US flag to run across an open area, in full glare of cameras, while the government of Cuba was observing Labour Day activities. He was taken away. The US has slapped sanctions on Cuba, for decades now. Thousands of Cubans live in the US. Relations between the two countries are still cold. Llorente claimed he once was even forcibly placed on a tour bus to prevent him at one time from participating in protests. He told of instances where he would just be picked up shortly before an event and
Protected by the UN: Cuban national, Daniel Llorente kept in lockups until it is finished. The US Embassy in Georgetown had confirmed that it is being engaged in the matter involving Llorente. The Cuban Embassy, on High Street, has not issued a statement on the matter or responded to questions. Llorente had never been to Guyana before. He said that it is his intentions to ask the US for political asylum as he is fearful of what would happen to him if he is sent back to Cuba. The case had raised alarming questions about Cuba’s in tolerance to human rights, at a time when the
Spanish-speaking country is under pressure by the US for widespread reforms. It would also raise questions about that country’s respect for Guyana’s sovereignty, as local authorities were not even aware that the man was here. He has been residing here, surviving on donations from a few Cubans who recognised him. At the airport in Cuba, he was handed the cash equivalent of US$50 by police personnel and told that where he is going, he would be able to seek closer relations with the US by having them grant a visa. He only knew on the plane that he was en route to Guyana. He said at the airport at Timehri, in Guyana, he was stamped in without much questions asked. He came out, very much lost, and was only saved by a Cuban passenger who gave him money for a night and food at a city guesthouse. At the time of his alleged arrest, he was wearing a Tshirt depicting the flag of Cuba and the US and President Donald Trump. Guyana has close relations with Cuba, with an ongoing agreement for training for medical students and the sending of doctors here to work in hospitals. A over 200-page report published by a coalition of human rights NGOs last month concluded “without fear of error” that Cuba has violently forced or threatened to force “hundreds” of political dissidents into exile, in many cases buying them plane tickets and taking them to the airport at gunpoint. Cuban Prisoners Defenders, an NGO dedicated to prodemocracy judicial action, along with the Patmos Institute and the Foundation for Pan-American Democracy, debuted the report at a press conference in Madrid on Wednesday. The groups identified 77 cases of the Cuban communist regime threatening to or actually expatriating dissidents during their research in just the week of June 11 to June 18.
Sunday July 07, 2019
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Kaieteur News
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
“INSPECTIONS” - NECESSARY FOR A QUALITY FINAL PRODUCT Through routine inspection practices, manufacturing companies worldwide are managing to control the quality of their products. This is according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. By “inspection”, it is usually meant that, at certain stages in the course of production, a comparison is made between what has actually been produced and what should have been produced. The standard of reference may be a specification, drawing or a visual quality standard. Checks made during inspections must be appropriate to the job and must be made with suitable measuring instruments. Many of the standards are available at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS). Importantly, those inspecting should be careful not to waste time checking things that do not matter or fail to check those that are important.
It is a misconception that only those responsible for inspections within a company alone are responsible for quality. Quality results from a combination of factors including the quality of the original designs, the methods, equipment and materials used in manufacturing, and the skill and care of the operator. In spite of these, if the job is still wrong, no amount of inspection will put it right. According to production flow, the inspection may be divided into: Incoming inspection, In-process inspection and Final inspection. Incoming inspection c o n c e r n s goods upon delivery from vendors and/or suppliers. It consists of inspection of raw materials, components, sub-assemblies and so on. The aim of incoming inspection is to prevent goods that do not fulfill the quality requirements from entering the production process. In-process inspection aims to prevent products of unacceptable quality from
being manufactured. It provides data for making decisions on the product (accept or rework or reject), as well as on the process (run or stop). Final inspection and/or testing is done after manufacture has been completed, with the objective of making sure that the goods concerned are satisfactory for distribution to the customer or maybe to another department for the next operation. Based on the product specifications, inspection instructions are prepared that lay down the details of the tests to be carried out, the measuring instruments or test equipment to be used and the criteria for deciding acceptance of the product with respect to each characteristic. A company’s inspection instructions should also include details of the sampling plan such as size of sample and the criteria of acceptance to be followed. Measuring instruments or test equipment used for inspection should be calibrated
periodically to verify their accuracy. The GNBS has the capacity to calibrate many of these measuring instruments. Finally, it is necessary to exercise suitable controls over the movement of products through the inspection area in order to avoid a mix-up of accepted and rejected products. Ways to exercise such
controls include: · Provision of clear labels (preferably of different colours) for products awaiting inspection, accepted products, rejected products, products on hold awaiting the results of tests and/ or inspection and so on; · Separation of accepted and rejected products; · Review of rejected prod-
ucts for rectification or repair or for sale as seconds; · The accepted product should only be released to the next process or to the customer by a person who is authorised to do so. For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190062, 219-0065, 219-0066.
burma Kaieteur News
FOCUS By Alex Wayne
Sunday July 07, 2019
Village:
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a once booming rice sector, now reduced to ruins
This rice mill at the neighbouring village of Champayne would have somewhat replaced the Burma
I
f one were to reflect on the days when Burma Village was at its economic best, we would of course be reminiscing on a village caught up in the hustle and bustle of great economic activity. One would be vividly remembering the blaring of horns as numerous trucks laden with paddy or the finished product (rice) sped up and down the busy Burma Access Road. There was employment for almost everyone. The large contracted buses and trucks with giggling employees were enough evidence of this fact. The main access roads were good then, flanked on both sides by great expanses of lush greenery (rice fields). Smoke was always billowing from the many chimneys of the rice producing factories at Burma, and the steady
humming and clanking of machinery could be heard from great distances. A huge magnet seemed to lure business officials from far and wide to Burma, always intent on sealing a manufacturer's or producers' deal of some sort that offered great revenue opportunities for such individuals, and naturally created employment for those that were e in need.
SAJ Rice Complex at Burma does not successfully replace the one thriving rice sector, but still offers employment for a percentage of villagers.
Burma was one of Guyana's most thriving rice production sector.
The boom of the rice industry at Burma in those days created immense revenue avenues for food, clothing and vegetable vendors plying their trade from even distant villages at this location. Burma was at its best. As a youngster living in the nearby Calcutta Village, many other youths and I were able to get part-time jobs during the August
holidays (when school was closed) either drying paddy or working as apprentices in the rice mills. Large crowds always flocked this location, and Burma was on the lips of almost all Guyana as its economic rice production exploits spread far and wide. To be sent on a trip to this location was quite a thrill, simply because it was quite a privilege to be
returning to this once thriving location, which has now become a fusion of ruins and 'rustic rice memories'. Burma is a village that was up until the late 1980s a hive of economic activity, and one of Guyana's richer agricultural and rice producing communities. Today, Burma is quite the opposite of what it was. The decline started before the Guyana Rice Milling & Marketing Authority (GRMMA) closed its operations there in late 2002. Burma was once a vibrant rice-producing village on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Guyana, situated on East Coast Demerara, 65 km (40 mi) east of Georgetown. The village is well known because it houses the Burma Rice Development Station, the only one of its kind in Guyana, where new varieties are tested for desirable traits. Work has been carried out on the breeding of additional blast resistant varieties of 'rustic' type rice as well as aromatic and salt tolerant varieties. Burma in days gone by Burma has a reasonably attractive, but smaller rice producing entity called SAJ Rice Group Inc. As dictated on their website page, SAJ Rice Group Inc. is a privatelyowned rice company that has been operating in Guyana since 2006. It is argued that the company has become one of the country's' leading rice millers and wholesalers. It specialises in rice
manufacturing, processing, packaging, and exporting rice and its by-products. Wi t h o v e r 3 0 y e a r s experience in this industry and the state-of-the-art facility, SAJ has the milling capacity to meet the urgent and bulk requirements of numerous clients. The products are exported to Poland, Portugal, Netherlands, Haiti, Ve n e z u e l a , T r i n i d a d , Guadalupe, France, French Guiana, Germany, Panama and Colombia. Their milling operation is situated in the midst of vast acreage of rice fields in the District of Mahaicony. This complex houses a rice mill with the capacity to process 450 tons of grain each day, silos and storage bonds for over 40,000 tons of paddy. The journey of Burma is quite an interesting one, from its economic stardom, to its present day ruins, and to tell us about it was former village councillor Morgan Allicock. He still resides in a section of the village that now appears like a shanty town. “The boom of Burma in its rice producing days lasted until in the late 1990s. Burma was the location to which every rice farmer or agriculture-oriented individual came to do business of some sort. The booming rice-milling complex in those days was owned and controlled by Government, through GRMMA—the Guyana Rice Milling and Marketing (continued on page 67)
Kaieteur News
Sunday July 07, 2019 From page 66 Authority. Many farmers travelled from miles to have their paddy fully processed at Burma and many were benefiting nicely. Persons working in supervisory positions in those days were given fancy houses to live in at no cost. They enjoyed free electricity and potable water from a well within the compound. “Burma was like a town in those days. It was always alive and busy. We had excellent streets, good streetlights, a good school and all of that. Everyone who was in senior position in the rice complex was regarded as rich. “They were driving vehicles provided by their employer, and living the life of royals. In those days, transportation was never an issue like today. You could have always hitched a ride on any vehicle going to or from Burma, but things have changed. “Nowadays, if you tried to get a ride, the people face long like a sword fish and you would certainly regret you ever asked. Burma was divided, as always, into two sections, these being the Burma Housing Scheme, which came under the mantle of the then Ministry of Housing; and the Government Scheme, as some called it which was really the high caliber in cluster of lavish houses that were given to top-notch employees.” The fall of Burma According to an account given by former GRDB Manager, Mr. Jagnarine Singh, the fall of the Burma Rice Mill was occasioned by the IMF-led Structural Adjustment Programme initiated before 1992 by then Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge. Things got really bad resulting in many mills having to cease operations to sell out their machinery. Eventually, the fortunes of the Burma Mill also declined drastically. It was however reportedly revived somewhat in 1993 by the PPP/C-led administration. Due, however, to the low prices being paid for paddy, intense competition, and other issues affected the rice industry in 1999; this mill was also closed in 2002. That saw hundreds of employees being left without jobs. The fall of Burma was on the lips of maybe every
Guyanese and its closure certainly rocked the community from every side and angle. A certain quiet betook the location. As time went by vehicles ceased going to the area and the silos and other machinery soon became towering white horses. Many who invested found themselves in great debts, and many were forced to resort to alternative routes of existence. There was this period of great sadness. Some even wept as they came to the complex to collect their last and final salaries. Food vendors were seen fuming since many now unemployed workers eluded them, making off without clearing large arrears for food and other items. There was a certain eerie silence that descended on the rice mill when it was closed officially. And of course it tugged at the heart strings of those who had enjoyed the perks and luxuries of Burma when it was in its prime. Some people remained in Burma, but they were forced to deal with setbacks. For instance, they were forced to buy generators since they were no longer getting electricity from the closed complex. Obtaining potable water also became a problem since the well in the Burma compound was no longer operational. Luckily for Guyana, the Rice Research & Development Centre was taken over by the Guyana
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Vendors now seldom attempts to ply their trade in whatever is left of the once booming community. Rice Development Board (GRDB), and naturally this issue is still functioning today. The Ruins of Burma To d a y, B u r m a h a s become a fusion of dilapidated houses taken over by weeds and bush. Even the once spanking school there is in ruins. The access streets are impossible to traverse during rainfall, and once important buildings are left to rot and decay. T h e p o p u l a r administrative offices have fallen apart and the only section that seems to have just a speck of class is the
The once very busy Burma Access Road now looks desolate and void of vehicles
area occupied by the SAJ Rice Complex. Today, there are less than twenty households in Burma, and these all exist in a somewhat eerie silence their faces mirroring their anguish, every time they reminisce on what the village used to be. Burma was once the very essence of economic and agricultural perfection. It was once the very pinnacle of social development and transcending sophistication, but today it bears not even the slightest resemblance to its former glory. Contentment and Simplicity
The few residents remaining in Burma live there in humble simplicity, each accepting the fact that the community has fallen and learning to deal with it. There is not much ethnic variety at Burma but their indulgence and acceptance of each other's culture is very touching. I was very amazed at the contentment and simplicity of almost every resident at Burma. I was expecting bitter complaints but surprisingly there was actually none from the residents. At Burma, the villagers seemed more intent on 'fixing things' in their village
than on waiting on related authorities, or for miracles to happen. Chatting with three vendors operating small food stalls on the road corner, it was realised that these ladies were quite content with their 'selfcreated professions', since it afforded them an honest dollar. I was well stirred up when I left that location but it was certainly worth the trip. Join our report next Sunday when our reporter picks up his trekking shoes and heads to the arresting village of Cane Grove, in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.
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Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS
BLOOD DONATION - A WIN/WIN PROPOSITION By PAT DIAL One of the great achievements of Western Medicine is the process of blood transfusion. Before Blood Transfusion came to be used as a common medical procedure, millions of people all over the world died from lack of, or loss of blood. The illnesses from which
people die because of lack of or loss of blood are numerous. Most people are acquainted with persons who had been brought to death’s door by loss of blood due to traffic, industrial and other accidents. But there are numerous other ways in which blood transfusion could save lives. There are persons whose
blood count could become so low that they could fall into a coma and die except they received blood. In many surgical operations blood is lost and has to be quickly replaced by transfusions or sometimes, in child birth, transfusions have to be given to save both mother and child. In Guyana, more than 50% of the blood sup-
plied by the Blood Bank is used in maternity cases. On Friday, 14th June last, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, the Chief Medical Officer, presided at a function held at Herdmanston House. It was organised by the Ministry of Public Health and the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) to mark International Blood Transfusion Day, also to honour dedicated blood donors. The main speakers on the occasion were Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Dr. Pedro Lewis, the doctor in charge of the National Blood Bank, and two regular contributors to the Bank who recounted their personal stories. Francine Leitch said she had been afflicted with a rare type of cancer and she needed
12 units of blood before she could undergo her first treatment of chemotherapy. She was considered in a terminal condition. She fortunately was able to receive the 12 units from the Blood Bank and underwent her first treatment. She required a further two units to be able to continue her treatment and this was supplied by the Blood Bank in a timely manner. Her treatment was successful and she attributes her survival to the Blood Bank. She now realises the importance of donating and has become a regular donor to the Blood Bank. Angelica Holder then told her story of how she became a life-long and regular blood donor. As a child, she saw her father being bitten by a labaria snake whose venom
was haemotoxic, preventing his blood from coagulating. He was beginning to bleed to death when blood transfusions saved his life. From that time, Angelica and her family have become regular blood donors. Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said that at the moment, there are approximately 10,000 voluntary blood donors; the number is barely adequate. These are from the coastal areas but that collection is now being extended to the Interior Regions. Likewise, blood transfusion services have been extended to Bartica, Mabaruma, Lethem, Mahaicony, Fort Wellington and the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Dr. Pedro Lewis, Director (continued on page 69)
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BLOOD DONATION - A WIN/WIN PROPOSITION From page 68 of the NBTS, said that there would soon be established a “Trauma Centre” at the Georgetown Public Hospital which would absorb the Accident and Emergency Department and which, from its nature, would require an increased and constant supply of blood. He estimates the Blood Bank would need between 30,000 and 35,000 donors, which he estimates to be five percent of the country’s population. So far, the actual collection of blood is centralised at the Blood Bank at the Georgetown Public Hospital and this is done so that the safety of the blood in all its facets is ensured. Each time blood is donated, the NBTS checks the blood, using 11 tests or “markers” to ensure that the blood is safe from any diseases and is 100% healthy. It should be noted that in the first place, if anyone suffers from any disease, that person is not accepted as a blood donor. In the developed countries, large numbers of blood donors are found among young people at the universities and tertiary educational institutions and this is a culture, which Guyana could usefully adopt since it would secure blood availability. Finally, we would like to emphasize that the myth that blood donation weakens the body and opens it to disease needs to be eradicated since it has inhibited the less educated from becoming blood donors. Actually, the pint of blood donated is restored by the body with new blood in six weeks and this renewal of blood makes the body healthier. Regular blood donors are invariably people who are always in good health. Donating blood to the Blood Bank is a win/win exercise - it helps to make the donor healthier and at the same time saves lives, sometimes as many as three lives with one donation since 525 milliliters can actually help three persons.
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One Four bedroom concrete cottage, unfurnished for rent, located at 26 Continential Park, Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara. Tel#233-5808
WANTED
VACANCY
Wanted: Cashiers to work at Superbet. Tel: 691-7123
Experience Goldsmith needed at Jacob’s Jewellery and Pawnshop. Address 16 Pike St, Kitty Georgetown. Tel#227-8748/622-4970
1 Experienced cook to work in a bar. Contact Tel#679-2612 Welder/Fabricator for interior location. Applicants must experienced. For further information. Call: 618-2020
1-house & land (4300 sq ft) with 4 master bedroom, gated community located @ (1) One bedroom apartment to Schoonord WBD. Contact rent single person preferably. #650-0402/603-1402 Contact Lisa #697-8867 Wanted- Office Clerk, Age 2555 yrs. Call: 616-6988 1 bedroom $28,000 per month between 3rd & 4th Bridge, Arc/Acetylene welder vehicle Diamond. Serious inquiries. body work experience- Fibre glassing, spraying. Tel#227Contact#653-5443/693-8913 1813 One Apartment for rent, First Street, Market. Mon Repos, Farmhand to live and work on E.B.Dem Tel#602-4105/220- farm on the Linden Highway. Tel#626-8055 7330 Office & Business space to Wanted-One route 40 minibus rent, High street, Georgetown. driver. Contact#638-2941/698Contact Ray’s Realty #627- 5231 9685 Experienced live-in waitress to work in a bar, must have ID PROPERTY FOR SALE card. Age 18-22 yrs old #221House for sale, Eccles Hous- 2785/659-1930 ing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 6420391/ 001447587233657/ yasharabhola4@gmail.com
One male able-bodied clerk. Contact#231-2029/616-5954 Tyre repair technician and wheelie bin repair technician, 1 security guard. Tel#227-1717
Roxanne Burnham $20M, North $18M, Norton $17M, Durban $16M, Parfaite $7M, Russle $22M, Thomas $240M GME #231-2199/618-7483
Experienced Cashier, Waitress/Waiters, apply in person with H/written application. Hack’s Halaal Restaurant, 5 Commerce St
Two-storey house- land unfinished, 1300 sq ft, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara. $3.9M #668-7453
We buy land in Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt. Tel#651-1969/6560701
Newly constructed 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, house overlooking the sea for sale, ECD#675-1510/613-7964 2 storey building, Broad St (Business area) Georgetown. Contact Ray’s Realty #6279685 2 storey concrete property 11 (classey) self contained rooms, Broad St, Georgetown. Contact Ray’s Realty #6279685 Modern 3 bedroom house, business area below & bond behind, Ketley Street, Georgetown. Ray’s Realty #627-9685 One concrete 2 storey 3 bedroom Modern home, Melanie (public road) ECD Contact Ray’s Realty #6279685 LEARN TO DRIVE Ultraviolet driving school, summer discount 6 classes for $10,000 book today #602-2583
Female cleaner office & home. Call: 642-9823 LORRY DRIVER/porter, basic education, honest. Telles Steel, 74 Hadfield St. 226-6771 Immediate vacancy exists for male workers @ Del Ice Co. Tel#231-1408/642-9191 Vacancy exist for one Female to work @ Crystal Ics House in Blairmont, must have Maths & English #231-1408/618-3800 General domestic. 3 Days work. Must know to cook. Apply with 2 references. KeyFood McDoom village ASSISTANT SUPERVISORDELIVERIES, sound education, honest. Telles Steel, 74 Hadfield St. #2266771 General Domestic to cook & clean for East Bank. Call: 6144358 Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 502-4002/600-8457 Industrial Sales Representative, 5 Subject CXC Age 25+ Experience in Sales, must own vehicle, email r e s u m e : vacancy@josarltd.com One Receptionist, night shift only, come in with application, 43 Hadfield & Camp street, Millenium Manor Hotel. Vacancy exist for the following: 1 esthetician, 1 Masseuse, 1 nail technician, 1 tutor for a 3 yrs & a 5 yr old. Tel#603-2590
VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501 For Sale- (1) 2005 Extra cab manual Toyota Tacoma, (1) 2005 BMW mini cooper, prices negotiable. Contact #673-3988 One safari built and tested Toyota Tacoma. Call: 6245141/ 444-2910 (night and weekends) 2003 Toyota Ist, $1.350M Neg. Tel# 649-9889/645-3583 1 RZ minibus BJJ series, working condition. $750,000. Call: 676-4031/682-4962 Price negotiable, papers intact.
LABOURERS- Honest and hardworking. Telles Steel, 74 Hadfield St. 226-6771 Vacancies @ Nirva Superstore for Cashiers/ Supermarket helpers, Apply in person with written application @ 49 Sheriff & Craig St. Tel#227-5771 VEHICLE FOR SALE
SERVICES
FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
(1) Excavator CAT 315BL (1) Roller/Compactor CAT CB434C (1) Skid steer CAT 277B. Call for information, Rayman #615-2346/500-1600/ 628-0200/652-8505
ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610, 290 Massey # 695-2220 Corregated steel rods 1/2(12mm)- $960 per 6m length, 5/8-(16mm) $1680 per 6m length. Call: 623-1615 Entire Boutique closing down sale.All ladies clothing as made JL brand, over 2000 pieces.Tel:225-0571.
Logs & Lumber directly from concession holder. Specialized HOUSE PLAN TO DRAW in green heart, purple heart, OF IF YOU NEED mora, wamara, darina. ESTIMATE. CALL: 216- Affordable prices. Tel#2234236/697-0966 0671/692-8464/622-0267 Installation, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing Machine, Stove etc. Call Nick 630-1600, 627-3206
LAND FOR SALE Farm road front E.B.D. Behind Park Vue hotel. High income land. Tel#669-5781, 696-7777 Friendship $30M Sarah Johanna, Supply $35 M (River), Loo creek 35 acres, Canaan $9M US (River), South 100 x 100 GME #2312199/618-7483
Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public road #2 Village Summer School (4-14yrs) W.C. B/ce 5 mins from B/ce Common Entrance Bridge. Contact# 686-4818/ Preparation, Phonics, 648-7109 Reading, Aftercare (3yrs6yrs) High School (Forms Farm main road (East Bank) 1&2) Preparation. Call: 677- $6.8M Schnoord $3.6M 0296 (100ftx50ft) Dairy $2M Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M Tel#648-1635 EDUCATION
Parfaite Harmonie transferable $1.9M, $1.5M Business spot $2.5M with foundation, transferable $3.5M, Farm $4M, $4.5M, $5.5M Call: 6662326 CAR RENTAL
1 NZE Toyota Fielder Wagon PSS series $1.5M neg & 1 AE 91 Toyota Sprinter PGG series $300,000 neg. Both cars stick gear. Tel#616-6620/641-5470
DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM
1 Honda CRV. includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crash bar, Low mileage. PTT Series (First Owner) Contact #6490956
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’sPER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 6435122,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM
Land for sale- Crane H/ scheme, WCD. Tel#671-6855 Eccles (Single & Double lots) , Providence EBD, Enterprise & Paradise ECD Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685 TO LET Office space to let.74 Brickdam opposite GT&T, 2 Floors fully Air conditioned, Generator, parking available.Call:226-6771/2264537.
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Police continue to take fight to Berbice drug dealers
One of the fields, which was destroyed Police continue to take fight to Berbice drug dealers Police in Berbice ‘B’ Division continue to take the fight to the drug dealers in Berbice. According to the police high command in the division, they will go wherever and do whatever it takes within the ambits of the law to find and flush out the drug pushers and dealers. During last week, between 04:00hrs and
16:00hrs, a squad of police journeyed up the Berbice River by boat and conducted drug eradication exercises at De Veldt and Fort Nassau. According to reports, the exercise was successful. The cops found a number of fields, camps, nurseries and dried plants during the exercise. There were about four and a half acres of cannabis with about 10,500 plants of various sizes ranging from between
six inches and six feet in height. The cannabis carried an estimated weight of 5,250 kilograms. The cops also found a nursery, which contained about 20,000 seedlings; they also found five camps and about 100 kilograms of dried cannabis. The plants were destroyed and the camps and the dried cannabis were destroyed by fire. No one was arrested during the exercise.
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Portion of Exxon-led blocks up for grabs after first oil By Kiana Wilburg
A
fter a certain time has passed, Guyana’s petroleum laws dictate that oil companies have to give up at least 20 percent of the licensed area they are allowed to explore or develop. This exercise is referred to as relinquishment but it only kicks in when the license reaches the time for renewal, which is at the end of four years. There are six major blocks offshore Guyana. These will be up for renewal after first oil commences in 2020. They are the Roraima Block which is operated by Anadarko; the Demerara Block operated by CGX Resources Inc.; the Kanuku Block operated by Repsol, Total and Tullow; the Orinduik Block led by Tullow, Eco Atlantic and Total; and the oil-rich Stabroek Block which is operated by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Hess and CNOOC/NEXEN. The foregoing blocks are up for renewal at different dates with some being in 2020 and others in 2022 to 2023. (The Chart attached to this article gives a breakdown of the different dates each block would be ripe for renewal and subsequent relinquishment.) Once the portions of these blocks are relinquished, the government can choose to auction them.
The license for the Canje Block which is in the hands of Mid-Atlantic, JHI Associates, Total and ExxonMobil’s subsidiary EEPGL is way past its relinquishment period. Twenty percent of this block should have been given up by Exxon and its partners since March 4,last. But the authorities continue to be silent on why the relinquishment provision is not being aggressively enforced. According to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), the contractor is expected to carry out a minimum work programme in the initial four-year period of having the licence. That four-year period is divided into two phases. Phase one consists of 18 months and requires the contractor to get all available geological data and conduct research at the local and regional level to better understand the complex features of the Guyana-Suriname basin. In addition, a minimum of 1500 line km of 2D seismic is to be acquired, processed, and interpreted to define possible prospects. Phase Two consists of 30 months. During this time, the contractor is expected to acquire, process, and interpret a minimum of 500 square kilometres of 3D seismic to identify drilling targets and complete a geotechnical/predrilling survey. The Canje Block PSA states that at the end of the initial four years, the Contrac-
tor shall elect either to relinquish the entire contract area or relinquish 20 percent of the contract area which spans 6,021 km. That is comfortably more than two times the size of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica). Mid-Atlantic, since acquiring the block in 2015, got several companies to buy into the block. The first to cut a
deal was JHI Associates Inc. Like Mid-Atlantic, JHI has zero experience in the oil industry. It has 17.5 percent interest in the Canje block. French oil major Total was
able to buy 35 percent of the working interest. ExxonMobil which is the lead operator on the Stabroek Block was able to get a 35 percent interest in the Canje concession too.
This works out in Exxon’s favour as Canje is strategically located next to the oil rich Stabroek Block. Mid-Atlantic continues to hold on to a mere 12.5 percent.
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GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – Bartica FA
Potaro Strikers beat Rivers View; Rising Stars lead points table Potaro Strikers Football Club blanked a determined effort by Rivers View Football Club to overcome them 3-1 on Friday last when the GFF/ NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League in the Bartica Football Association continued at the Bartica Secondary School Ground. Following a scoreless first half, a Lorenzo Cummings free kick broke the deadlock to put Potaro Strikers on the scorecard in the 50th minute. But just four minutes later, Rivers View responded by way of a bullet off the left foot of Kellon Richardson. An exciting encounter ensued until Daniel Gardener and Arlington Williams
Lorenzo Cummings (left), Daniel Gardener and Arlington Williams - Potaro Strikers FC. sealed the victory for Potaro just minutes before the final whistle. In spite of prolonged rainy weather, play was expected to continue yesterday with a double header at the same venue. Rising Stars were down to face Agatash United and Lazio against Potaro Strikers.
Meanwhile, Rising Stars lead the points table with 16, with Potaro Strikers next with 12. The league is part of the National Yout h Development Programme of the Guyana Football Federation, and is promoted in partnership with NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour.
Sunday July 07, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Love and romance are likely to be tops on your agenda today, Virgo. You're feeling especially warm and loving now. Current and potential love partners could feel strongly drawn to you. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) If you've considered a career in publishing, Taurus, this is the time to go for it. It's also a great day to enroll in law school, an advanced degree program, or any field of higher education. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your dreams could be vivid, pleasant, and full of information to help you make a decision. New and exciting contacts could come into your life today CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today you're likely focused on sex, romance, and committed relationships. The planetary energies surrounding love are promising, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you should be glowing with good health, energy, and stamina, and be doing well at work, whether career, volunteer work, or a personal project. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Love and romance are likely to be tops on your agenda today, Virgo. You're feeling especially warm and loving now. Current and potential love partners could feel strongly drawn to you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Important enterprises centering on your home could take up a lot of your energy over the next few days, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Some absolutely wonderful news could come your way, Scorpio, possibly about career or financial success, perhaps involving positive changes in your neighborhood. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You should feel especially warm and loving today toward just about anyone you meet, Sagittarius. Good news about money may have caused you to feel especially positive. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Capricorn, you should be looking beautiful and feeling especially positive, warm, and loving - attracting people of all kinds to you. Your self-confidence, optimism, and determination should peak over the next few days. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Creative inspiration could come from deep within today, Aquarius. Visions, dreams - anything that excites your imagination could bring ideas for new projects. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Group activities prove beneficial on several levels, Pisces. You might project powerful warmth and love for all life. You're feeling especially optimistic about the future.
KMTC’s Emancipation... From page 76 the winner will receive $160,000. Horses can be entered by contacting Club Secretary Niketa Ross (tel 662-4668), Assistant Secretary Isaac Dallo (689-0629), Ivan Dipnarine (331-0316), Justice Cecil Kennard (623-7609 or 225-4818), Fazal Habibulla (657-7010), Dennis Deroop (640-6396) and Campton Sancho (691-1174).
Cycle road race and... From page 79 will then switch to the Area H Ground, Rose Hall Town where there will be athletics, cricket, basketball and volleyball events. Beyoncé began getting severe headaches in early February 2018; the symptoms forced her mother to rush her to the Port Mourant Hospital and eventually the New Amsterdam Hospital. She was being treated for ulcer and stomach pain. Her condition worsened, and a subsequent MRI scan revealed that she had a tumor in the center of her brain. She underwent her first surgery on the 13th April, 2018 at the Georgetown Public Hospital. It was later revealed that the tumor was not cancerous. The family was informed by doctors that the surgery could not be done in Guyana. As efforts were being made to solicit funds to take her overseas for the delicate surgery she passed away in June. According to the family, efforts are being made to prevent others from suffering as the young and upcoming star did. The foundation, hopes to assist persons who are diagnosed with tumors in the brain at an early stage. “Beyoncé was just 15 and full of life and unfortunately she passed away. If we don’t do something, Beyoncé’s death would just pass like that and that will not be ideal for her, so that is why the foundation is being formed in her memory”. (Samuel Whyte)
We failed to give Malinga a fitting farewell, says... From page 75 successful bowlers in the history of the World Cup. The right-arm paceman, a sought-after player in Twenty20 leagues, has also played 30 tests though he quit the long format in 2011 after battling a nagging knee injury. Karunaratne said Sri Lanka would have to find a replacement to fill the void. “Sri Lankan cricket will miss him,” the captain said at the presentation ceremony.
“In Test cricket and oneday cricket, he was the man. He’s done a really good job. Everyone has to end their chapter and we have to find a new guy as we lack bowlers to get wickets in the middle overs.” Scores: Sri Lanka 2647 (50 overs): Mathews 113; Bumrah 3-37 India 265-3 (43.3 overs): Rahul 111, Rohit 103; Rajitha 1-47 Result: India won by seven wickets
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Fourth Aliann Pompey Invitational
Impressive performances rave fans at Leonora
Rushell Clayton got a good warm up to before her Diamond League appearance next week with a 55.25s meet record win in the women’s 400m hurdles.
Sweden’s Caroline Seger celebrates after the match with team mates. (REUTERS/Eric Gaillard)
Chantoba Bright won the women’s Long Jump with a meet record of 5.83m. By Calvin Chapman The fourth Aliann Pompey Invitational Athletics meet speed off yesterday at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC), Leonora. The event ran off on time despite the imminent threat of rain but a GPL power outage put the brakes on the event during the men’s 1500m final that had to be completed in the dark. In the marquee men’s 100m final, Joseph Amoah of Ghana won the event with a new meet record of 10.20s ahead of Guyana’s Emmanuel Archibald 10.33s and Winston George 10.40. In women’s 100m final, Kamaria Durant of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) was way too quick with an impressive 11.39s time in the win, while Revare Thomas also of T&T finished second in 11.53s and Jasmine Abrams of Guyana was third in 11.62. Arinze Chance had set out to break the national 400m record last evening but rain had intervened and the overcast conditions wasn’t conducive for fast times but the US-based athlete still managed his second fastest time of the year, 46.12 seconds, to win the event ahead of Deon Lendore of
T&T 46.17 and Brian Roman (GUY) 48.53s. The women’s quarter-mile sprint saw Aliyah Abrams (GUY) winning in a scorching 52.16s ahead of Candice McLeod of Jamaica (52.28s) and Alexander Kineke of St. Vincent (55.04s). Jamaican Rushell Clayton got a good warm up before her Diamond League appearance next week with a 55.25s meet record win in the women’s 400m hurdles. She made light work of second place Katrina Seymour of Bahamas (59.37s) and T&T’s Janeil Belille who was some distance behind in third with 1m 01s. The battle between local stars Devaun Barrington and Anfernee Headecker brought fans to their feat in the men’s 800m final. Headecker, determined to turn the tables on Barrington who has beaten him in each of their last three meetings, ran the first 750m of the race hard to open a good enough gap between himself and the Barrington. However, as has been the case in the previous meets, Barrington exercised good sprint speed in the homestretch to overtake
Sweden pounce on sloppy England to clinch third place at World Cup
Headecker; registering a personal best time of 1m50s, while Headecker finished in 1m 52s. Samuel Lynch was third with a time of 1m 55.13s. India’s national record holder, Siddhanth Thingalaya, as expected, won the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.57s ahead of Ruebin Walters of T&T (13.98s) and Rhys Phillips of Barbados (14.45s). Speaking to the media after the race, Thingalaya noted that he loves it in Guyana because the country shares many aspects of India culture. In the field, Chantoba Bright bounced back after losing to Ruth Sanmoogan in the National Athletics Championships last weekend, to win the long jump event with a meet record of 5.83m ahead of Sanmoogan 5.82m. In the men’s 200m Winston George (GUY) won in 20.75s ahead of Daniel Williams of Linden (21.10s) and Lionel Marks 21.20s. T&T’s Kamaria Durant completed the sprint double after winning the 200m in 23.21s ahead of Reyare Thomas (T&T) 23.82s and Jasmine Abrams (GUY) who clocked 23.95s.
NICE, France (Reuters) Sweden benefited from poor defending and the video assistant referee to beat England 2-1 in the women’s World Cup third place playoff match yesterday. Early goals from Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson were enough to see off Phil Neville’s side, who pulled one back through Fran Kirby and had an Ellen White equalizer ruled out for handball. Sweden, captained by Caroline Seger making her 200th international appearance, won the last meeting between the two nations 2-0 and began where they left off from that friendly in November. After 11 minutes, England defender Alex Greenwood failed to clear a cross into the box and Asllani pounced to unleash a fierce shot at goal. Goalkeeper Carly Telford got a hand to it but the ball flew in. They doubled their lead 10 minutes later when England stood off Jakobsson, allowing the Montpellier forward to drive into the box and curl the ball expertly around defender Steph Houghton and past the diving
Telford. England regrouped and after half an hour they halved the deficit when Kirby dribbled from the right into the penalty area, cut on to her left and curled the ball in off the far post. Barely two minutes later, they thought they had equalized when White, chasing the golden boot award on six goals, chested down a cross, held the ball up and poked it under Sweden keeper Hedvig Lindahl. However, it was ruled out after a VAR review with White judged to have controlled the ball with her arm. Winger Karen Carney came on for Nikita Parris in the 74th minute to make her final appearance in an England shirt having announced on Friday she would retire after the match. However, she was unable to help her team claim a second successive thirdplace finish at the World Cup, with Sweden clinching their third bronze medal. Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said winning a bronze medal was a “huge difference” to finishing fourth. “It’s more about the way
we won. There were so many good performances, incredible moments. I thought it was very important to win,” Gerhardsson said. “We fought incredibly hard in the second half. I got the impression it was like an old boxing match. “It was a strange game. Above all, the players’ way of tactically, mentally and physically tackling it was amazing. There were several leaders out on the pitch who contributed to players who were not as experienced.” England coach Neville said his team may have been fighting the disappointment from their 2-1 defeat by the United States in the last four, where they also had an equalizing goal ruled out by VAR. “Well done to Sweden but it is a nonsense game,” Neville said. “I think maybe there was carry on from the semi-final the emotion. The two goals sparked us into life and I don’t think I have seen us play better than we did after those first 20 minutes,” Neville added. “We gave it our best shot, we fell short and we just have to make sure next time we are better.”
Sweden’s players celebrate in front of their fans after the match against England. (REUTERS/Paul Pelissier)
Sunday July 07, 2019
Warner heroics for Australia are in vain as defeat sets up England semi-final
South Africa’s Faf du Plessis in action with Australia’s Nathan Lyon. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff) MANCHESTER, England tournament in jeopardy, but and then took a superb catch (Reuters) - Prolific opener they rallied magnificently to remove Glenn Maxwell David Warner smashed a before being bowled out for (12). brilliant 122 but could not 315 with one ball remaining. At that stage Australia claim victory for Australia as South Africa have been were reeling at 119 for four, they slipped to a 10-run defeat poor with the bat in the but Warner continued to to South Africa in their Cricket tournament but found form on score at a run a ball and got World Cup clash at Old an excellent wicket for stroke- to his 17th ODI hundred with Trafford yesterday, leaving making and posted their fours off successive them facing a semi-final highest total of the World deliveries. Cup. Du Plessis followed up He put on a brilliant 108 in against England. The result allowed India to his unbeaten 96 against Sri 90 balls for the sixth wicket take over at the top of the Lanka last time out with with the excellent Alex Carey round-robin table at the end another controlled innings of (85 from 69 balls) to keep of the first stage, meaning 100 from 94 balls. Australia in the hunt but Australia will battle the host He put on 151 for the third miscued a Pretorius delivery nation at Edgbaston on wicket with Van der Dussen, and was superbly caught by Thursday, while the Indians who was caught on the a diving Chris Morris at midmeet New Zealand at Old boundary in the last delivery on. Trafford on Tuesday. of the innings as he chased A hobbling Khawaja (18) Already-eliminated South his maiden ODI tonne. returned to the wicket late in Africa chose to bat and a Australia lost captain the innings but, with his century from captain Faf du Aaron Finch (3) in the third movement restricted, was Plessis took them to 325 for over of their reply and were bowled by seamer Kagiso six in their 50 overs, a total in further trouble when Rabada (3-56). boosted by Rassie van der Khawaja hobbled off with the Scores: South Africa 325Dussen’s well-constructed score on 20. 6 (50 overs): Du Plessis 100, 95. Steve Smith (7) was Van der Dussen 95, Lyon 2Australia were in trouble trapped leg before wicket by 53 early in their innings and a Dwaine Pretorius (2-27), Australia 315 all out hamstring injury to number before wicketkeeper Quinton (49.5 overs): Warner 122, three batsman Usman de Kock effected a brilliant Carey 85, Rabada 3-56 Khawaja saw him retire hurt, run-out of Marcus Stoinis (22) Result: South Africa won and put the rest of his with a flick behind his back by 10 runs
We failed to give Malinga a fitting farewell, says Karunaratne LEEDS, England (Reuters) - Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne lamented his team’s failure to give pace spearhead Lasith Malinga a fitting World Cup farewell after their comprehensive defeat in their final group match against India yesterday. Sri Lanka overcame a toporder collapse to post a competitive 264-7, which India chased down with 6.3 overs to spare. Malinga bled 82 runs in his 10 overs for the lone
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Kaieteur News
wicket of centurion KL Rahul in his World Cup swansong to finish with 13 wickets from seven matches, including a four-wicket masterclass that upstaged England. “Of course, I thought if we can win, it’s good for Lasith,” Karunaratne told reporters. “We all wanted to give him a nice farewell but unfortunately we couldn’t. But I think we tried really hard.” “But Mali is going to play another couple of games in Sri Lanka against Bangladesh.
We’ll try to give him a nice send-off at that time.” Since his 2004 debut against United Arab Emirates, Malinga has played 225 ODIs and his unusual slingy action and an ability to bowl yorkers have made him a formidable bowler in limited overs cricket. Malinga’s 56 wickets from 29 matches put him third, behind Australian Glenn McGrath (71) and fellow Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan (68), in the list of most (Continued on page 73)
The 4-Horse Man Promotions Group collaborates with Ryan Crawford Turf Club
Port Mourant Turf Club Centenary Anniversary horserace meet set for August 1 The 4-Horse Man Promotions Group is collaborating with the Crawford Memorial Turf Club to stage a grand one day horserace in observance of the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) Centenary Anniversary on Emancipation Day, August 1st, 2019. The race will be held at the PMTC and according to the organisers this year is 100 years for the PMTC and the objective is to honour the occasion. It will also be in memory of the achievements of the late Attorney at Law and Senior Council Marcel Crawford for the enormous amount of work he did at the PMTC during his lifetime. The days meet will see seven races being held with over $3M in cash, trophies and other incentives on offer. The feature event will be for 3 years old Guyana-bred horses over a distance of 1300M for a winning purse of $300,000 and trophy. The Horse classified H3 and lower will be running over a distance of 1300M for a winning take of $220,000 and trophy. There is a similar $220,000 and a trophy up for grabs for the winning horse in the event
for two-year-old Guyana-bred animals over 1000M. The J and Lower event is for animals 4 years and over for a first prize of $180,000 and a trophy over 1300M. The K2 and Lower race which is also for animals over 4 years, and over 1300M has a winning reward of $170,000 and trophy. The race for L class open animals will see the winner being presenting with $160,000 and trophy over 1100M. The final event is for animals classified L1 and Lower over a distance of 1000M for a top prize of $140,000 and trophy. The Meet’s Organising Committee reserves the right to cancel/reframe any of the mentioned races. All races will be run under the Guyana Horse Racing Authority Rules and no late entries will be accepted. Interested persons can make contact with Bobby Vaughn on 624-6788, 223-5097 or 2277061, Marcel Crawford Jr on 678-5342 or 6007690, Fazal Habibullah on 657-7010, Compton Sancho on 691-1174 or Loresa Mohabir on 624-0453 for further information. (Samuel Whyte)
Fraser-Pryce speeds to victory in Diamond League L A U S A N N E , Switzerland, CMC – Jamaica’s double Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce shook off a sub-par performance at the Prefontaine Classic to blaze to victory in the 100 metres at the IAAF Diamond League meet here Friday. The 32-year-old stormed to victory in 10.74 seconds to capture gold, much faster than the 11.39 she clocked six days ago when she finished seventh at the Prefontaine Classic in the United States. Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith was a distant second in a season’s best 10.94, while Marie-Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast also posted a season’s best 10.93 to place third. Fraser-Pryce said she was delighted with her performance, especially considering her slow time at the Classic. “I came to Lausanne in a very happy state of mind despite a poor performance in Stanford. I am delighted with 10.74 today. Such ups and downs
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was a comfortable winner in the 100 metres. make sure that you do not take anything for granted and do not get complacent,” she said after her race. Fellow Jamaicans Stephenie-Ann McPherson and Ronald Levy copped bronze in their respective events. McPherson finished third in the women’s 400 metres in a season’s best time of 50.88 seconds, behind eventual winner
Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain in a season’s best and meet record 49.17 seconds, with Niger ’s Aminatou Seyni finishing second with a personal best and national record of 49.19 seconds. Levy clocked 13.25 seconds in the men’s 110m hurdles. The event was won by Spain’s Orlando Ortega in 13.05 seconds, with the USA’s Robert Best third in 13.11.
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GCOS summer camps runs off next week - Courts Guyana Inc. donates raffle to fundraising activities The Guyana Committee of Service’s (GCOS) third annual Athletics summer camps that will be featured in Berbice, Bartica and Linden gets underway next week, simultaneously. The GCOS will facilitate the respective coaches at the training camps in addition to providing meals and gear so the budding athletes will be able to train hassle free and be engaged in meaningful activity during the JulyAugust vacation. The camps will run up until the penultimate week before the September term commences. To conclude the event, the GCOS will run off their highly anticipated summer
Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
camp 5k run which will be contested from the under10 to seniors’ categories that is scheduled for the National Park on Sunday, August 25th. According to committee member, Linden Jones, the GCOS is still in the process of their grand raffle in which the first prize is $1million, 2nd prize one motorcycle, 3rd one refrigerator, 4th 32-inch Television and a microwave. The cost of a raffle ticket is just $500. The proceeds of the raffle and all other GCOS fundraising activities go towards their mandate of supporting sportsmen and women along with the performing arts in Guyana.
Jones further noted that, “We had planned on covering the cost of our prizes but we are now in the process of getting sponsors to help so we can use the funds raised from our ticket sales to carry out our mandate.” To this end, Courts Guyana Inc. has answered the call of the GCOS and yesterday at their Main Street branch, donated the fourth place raffle prize; the 32 inch television. The GCOS is still looking forward to the rest of corporate Guyana’s support by donating one of the prizes or by buying ticket books. In addition, members of the public are encouraged to support the venture.
Nand Persaud Group of Companies Sprint Classic Horserace meet set for August 11. The Nand Persaud Group of Companies, which boosts one of the better Horseracing facilities in Guyana, has begun preparations for its eight Horserace meet. The event which is being promoted through its Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Group will be held on Sunday August 11th at the Company’s racing entity, No36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne, Berbice. The seven-race card, dubbed the “Nand Persaud Karibee Sprint Classic” has over $4M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for grabs. The races will be run over 880 and 660 yards. Boasting the only horseracing facility where the horses run in a straight line from start to finish, the company has the complete
package with racing track, promotional group, race horses, and stables. The company also produces, imports and sells feed. The feature event will be for horses classified E and lower over 880 yards or 4 furlongs for a winning purse of $300,000 and trophy. There is an event for 2 year old animals for a winning take of $150,000 and trophy over 660 yards. The event for animals classified J and lower is for a take home prize of $150,000 and trophy over 4 furlongs. There is an event for K and lower class animals for a winning take of $140,000 and trophy also over 3 furlongs. The K class and lower animals will be competing for a first prize of $140,000 and trophy over 660 yards or 3
furlongs. There are three L class races. One for male horses and another for female over 3 furlongs both for a pole position taking of $100,000 and trophy. The other L class event will see the non-earners from the other two L class races competing for a winner’s money of $100,000 and trophy over 3furlongs. Champion jockey, trainer and stable will all be rewarded with trophies and other incentives compliments of the Mr. Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall. Interested persons can make contact with Mohini on 600-4728 or Amanda on 6185966. The Coordinator is Mohendra “Mohin” Persaud. (Samuel Whyte)
PRBG/LRFF Boxing Fight Night
World rated Boxer Terrence Ali among ex Boxers honoured
From left, GCOS Linden Jones, Courts Guyana Inc. representative and Leslie Black, during the presentation of the 32inch flat screen TV.
The Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym in collaboration with the Linden River front Festival hosted its fourth annual Boxing Fight Night with a 10fight Card recently in the Mining Town. The Organizer’s honoured four former Boxers with Clifton Jones, Emmett Bennett aka six-seconds, Wayne Smith, Mortimer Cornell and Terrence Ali, each receiving a certificate and a small donation from Mortimer Cornell. Cornell thanked the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym and Coach Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers for doing a great job and he felt glad that he was a Boxer. Ali, who fought the
legendary Julio Cesar Chavez for the WBC World Super Lightweight title, thanked Pocket Rocket Rogers for giving him an Award. “I am the only good looking one in this photo,” the 59 year-old Ali smilingly said while posing for the photo and throwing some punches at Emmett Bennett aka six-seconds. Ali thanked everyone for doing what they are doing and Clifton Jones for a well planned Event. The Organizers thanked all the supporters and everyone who made it a special occasion.
The Gyms and their Coaches, the GBA for their Officials and Boxing Ring, the Linden Hospital Medical team, to the Director of the Linden Riverfront Festival Committee Mr Samuel Wright who is the Government Rep and all those who came on board for making the event a success were recognized. Mayor of Linden Waneka Arrindell was also present. The Best Boxer Award went to Jevon Thomas of Carryl’s Boxing Gym and he was presented with his Award by the Deputy Mayor of Linden Waynewright Bethune. (Sean Devers)
KMTC’s Emancipation Horserace Meet set for August 4 The Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club will hold their Emancipation Horserace Meet on Sunday August 4 at their race track at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne Berbice. The C & Lower one-mile race will see a winning purse of $700,000 and the entrance fee for this race is $85, 000, while entries close on Sunday July 28 and no late entries will be allowed. Owners of Horses must pay at least $5,000 for each Horse at the point of entry at the point of entry. If not paid the Horses’ names would not appear on the Official Programme and the Horse will not be permitted to run. In the event that there are less than five Horses in any
event the club reserves the right to cancel or reframe the said event or reduce the prise money after consulting with the Horse owners. In the L-non-earner over 5 furlongs will see the winner will receive $120, 000. In the H & Lower WI bred non-winner & Guyana bred Open over 7 furs, the winner will receive $240, 000. In the J&K Lower over 7 Furs the winner will receive $180,000. In the L-non winner (20182019) over 5 Furs the winner will receive $140,000. In the 2 years old Guyana bred over 5 Furs the winner will receive $200, 000. In the L-Open over 5 miles (Continued on page 73)
Sunday July 07, 2019
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Kaieteur News
GBA’s Andrew Lewis Nat Novices Boxing C/Ships
FYF’s Shemar Halley looks a promising prospect By Sean Devers With rain pouring on the outside on a wet and cold Friday night, the action inside the National Gymnasium was anything but cold as the threenight Andrew Lewis National Novices Boxing Championships commenced with the cadre of young boxers looking to impress and the GDF aiming to retain their title. Seven fights were scheduled for the opening night including an exhibition bout between GDF pair of Colin Hinds and Kevin McKenzie, while Super Heavyweight Kevin Hunte got a Walk-Over from fellow Soldier Joel Pollard. The highlight of the night was the work of talented Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Shermar Halley who would not be a forgotten youth after his exhibition of skills in his victory over GDF’s Kevon Paul in the Elites Junior Welterweight division. Halley displayed real potential in his three-round contest with Paul. Both Boxers answered the first bell with plenty of intensity with the fighters trading punches in the opening seconds of an
action packed round. Halley peppered Paul’s body with right digs to the ribs before executing wicked shots to head, prompting Guyana top female Referee Ramona Agard to administer two standing 8 counts to Paul. Round two was not as fast paced as both Boxers seemed to tire but the skilful Halley continued to outbox the Soldier with some telling onetwo combos as he consistently hit the target areas which are very important to win points in Amateur Boxing. The third round was the best round for Paul, urged on by the drum beat GDF fans in the stands, he retaliated with a flurry of punches in the latter stages of the fight but his late rally was too little too late and not enough to give him the win. Another entertaining match-up was also in the Junior Welterweight division between the Army’s Tamar Forrester, coached by GBA’s technical Director Terrence Pool and RBG’s Aaron Edwards who had Clive Atwell, who challenged for the WBC featherweight title in 2014 after winning bronze at the 2007 Pan American
Games as a bantamweight, in his corner. Forrester charged Edwards at the sound of bell and caught him with a few good shots and pushed him on the back foot as Edwards tried to get out of range from the onslaught. Edwards, who rarely counterpunched in the early stages of the round, was staggered by a right and given a standing 8 count. However, the gutsy Edwards landed a sneaky upper cut towards the end of a round won by Paul. Edwards came out in second stanza with more intent and threw a bit more punches of his own as he tried to fight back before a threepunch combination which ended with a stinging straight left to the head, that resulted in Edwards being given another standing 8 count. In the final round, Edwards seemed to find a ‘second wind’ an ‘upped the tempo’ as he threw punches in bunches which hurt Paul, who was given his first standing 8 count. An upper cut to Paul’s mid-section was followed by a booming overhand right as Edwards hit the harder shots.
Tamar Forrester’s is rocked by a left from Aaron Edwards but his determined fight came a little too late.
FYF’s Talented Shamar Halley (left) dominated his bout with GDF’s Kevon Paul as pepped his man with body shots. But he left it too late and despite winning the last round Edwards lost the fight. In the two Youth Junior Welterweight fights, Fitz Haywood of FYF beat Young Achievers’ Jerron McKenzie, while FYF’s Jaqwan Milo lost to YA’s Sherlon Stephen.
In the last bout of the night in the Super Heavyweight division, GDF’s Kurt Hunte and FYF’s Romano Bumbury produced a slug-fest in the first as they went at each with big swings. However, they ran out of gas in the last round and
stood like statues prompting the Referee to yell ‘fight’ and when they did manage to fight their punches were thrown in ‘slow motion’ as both Boxers stood on exhausted legs. The action was set to continue last night and conclude tonight.
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Sunday July 07, 2019
Kaieteur News
1st Annual Inaugural ExxonMobil Schools Futsal Tournament in Linden launched
ExxonMobil’s Nicholas Yearwood Communications Manager and Suzie DeAbreu Community Relations Manager along with New Era Ent. Directors Aubrey Major Jr, Kenrick Noel and Shareef Major and Reps from the schools at the launching.
ExxonMobil Guyana and New Era Entertainment launched the 1st Annual Inaugural Exxon Mobil Schools Futsal Tournament in Linden at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) on Friday. At the simple event the New Era Entertainment group informed, “We remember back in 2016 when the idea of approaching ExxonMobil to become a c o r p o r a t e s p o n s o r, w e were filled with mixed thoughts and emotion, at first we thought that a company which is labeled as the GIANT of the oil and gas industry would have no interest in a little DAVID project such as ours. Then we felt that, should ExxonMobil come on board, it will be a great game changer for all those involved, especially the young people of Region 10 (Linden).
We took the plunge and reached out to Mr. Yearwood of Exxon Mobil (Guyana) and the rest is history.” “Today we’re pleased that Exxon Mobil is committed to the development of Region 10, just last year New Era Ent approached Exxon Mobil to build a Bleacher on the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard court in which Exxon Mobil agreed and collaborated with New Era to build a bleacher on the hard court (Linden). We also want to welcome the ministry of Education on board with us this year, without them this tournament wouldn’t be possible, we would also thank the school’s Head teachers and teachers, Ansa Mcal under the Smalta brand for their support. And we’re looking for this collaboration to be a longlasting one in years to come,” the release informed.
Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter Ward final postponed The final of the Hamilton Green Inter Wa r d / Vi l l a g e 9 - a - s i d e Knockout Football Tournament which was scheduled for today at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara, has been postponed until the current inclement weather pattern which has left the venue unsuitable for play, subsides. The champions of this tournament will take home $300,000 when its finally played, while the runnerup team will collect $100,000 with both getting t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r ’s Trophies which were donated by Prime Minister Mosses Nagamootoo. The third place team will receive $60,000 sponsored by Techno Mills while the team that finishes fourth will get $40,000 donated by Ready Mix along with Trophies.
The player with the Most Goals will receive a Home Dinette Chair from China Trading, while the footballer who scores the second most goals will be presented with a Lazy Boy chair from AH&L Kissoon. The Best Goalkeeper will collect the Minister of Natural Resources trophy. Among the sponsors are John Fernandes, Courtney Benn, Techno Mills, Ready Mix, Sattaur Gafoor, E.C Vieira, BEV Enterprises, BK International, IPA, New Thriving, Ricks and Sari, ENetworks, Star Computers, NAMILCO, Cummings Electrical, National Sports Commission, Star Entertainment, Alfro Alphonso, the Guyana Police Force, GuyOil, Minister of State, Prime Minister and Ministry of Legal Affairs.
Kaieteur News
Sunday July 07, 2019
CASA 2019 will be a close one says GSA’s President David Fernandes
David Fernandes and Coach Carl Ince A confident Guyana team will depart these shores on July 12 for this year’s Caribbean Squash Champions in Trinidad where they will hope to recapture the glory years when they captured 12 consecutive titles before they were dethroned on home soil by Barbados. The team will be managed by former Southern Caribbean Squash Champion Garfield Wilshire, while Carl Ince is the Head Coach. He will receive assistance from Nyron Joseph and Deje Dias who are the Assistant Coaches. GSA’s President David Fernandes, who will travel with the team to the Twin Island Republic, says Barbados is the team to beat, adding that the Guyana team as a whole is very balanced with good depth in all ages. “Our Teams always give 100% effort and that’s all we can ask of them. If you give 100% it puts you in a better
position to win. But we must remember that the other Countries have been working hard as well so the championships will be a close one as usual. It will not be easy but we have a shot,” declared Fernandes. “The team has been prepared well with some of our players putting a bit extra and they will be the ones that have a chance of doing well,” said Fernandes, who have been among those genuinely working for the development of the game locally. Fernandes said some of the players to watch among the boys are U-11 boys Grant Fernandes, U-13 boys Mohryan Baksh, U-15 boys Micheal Alphonso, U-15 boys Nicholas Verwey, U-17 boys Shomari Wilshire, U17 boys Samuel InceCarvalhal. “Among the girls we h a v e U - 11 C h r i s t i a n a Fernandes, U-15 Kirsten Gomes and U-17 Abosaide Cadogan. (Sean Devers)
Cycle road race and fun day in memory of late cyclist champion Beyoncé Ross A number of sporting events have been organised for today in memory of former national female junior cycling Champion Beyoncé Ross. Ross, 15 and a former resident of Rose Hall Town, died a year ago from a Brain Tumor. She won three gold medals at the 2017 National School Cycling Championship a few months before. The family is in the process of setting up a foundation to assist others who would have fallen on difficult times. The foundation has
organised a number of sporting events including a cycle road race and fun day in memory of the young hero and to raise funds to drive the foundation forward. The cycle road race will peddle off at 08:00 hrs from the Rose Hall Town arch to the No 51 Police Station before returning to its place of origin at Rose Hall. The event is only for cyclists in Berbice. A foot race will also be held from Rose Hall to Johns, Port Mourant and back to Rose Hall. The day (Continued on page 73)
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GBA’s Andrew Lewis Nat Novices Boxing C/Ships
FYF’s Shemar Halley looks t r o a promising prospect Sp Shemar Halley
1st Annual Inaugural ExxonMobil Schools Futsal Tournament in Linden launched Warner heroics for Australia are in vain as defeat sets up England semi-final Fourth Aliann Pompey Invitational
Impressive performances rave fans at Leonora
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